Phos"gene (?), a. [Gr. light + the root of to be born: cf. F. phosgene.] Old Chem.
Producing, or produced by, the action of light; -- formerly used specifically to designate a gas now called carbonyl chloride. See Carbonyl.
<-- still called phosgene. It was used as a poison gas in World War I. -->
© Webster 1913.