nerve agent - a toxic gas that is inhaled or absorbed through the skin and has harmful effects on the nervous and respiratory systemagent - a substance that exerts some force or effect VX gas - a highly lethal nerve agent used in chemical warfare; a toxic liquid that penetrates the skin or lungs to disrupt the nervous system and stop respiration; in combat VX gas is deployed by detonating a container over the target area and can persist in the environment up to several weeks after release; "VX gas is one of those things we wish we could disinvent" organophosphate nerve agent - any of a series of nerve agents containing organophosphate compounds first synthesized by German chemists in 1936; in World War II the Germans tested them in concentration camps but not on the battlefield; Iraq is alleged to have used them against Iran and against the Kurds poison gas - a gas that is poisonous to breath or contact; used in chemical warfare |