novichok means any of a group of deadly organophosphate nerve agents developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 1980s to evade restrictions on chemical weapons. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 84 out of 100.
Etymology
From Russian новичо́к (novičók, literally “newbie, newcomer”).
noun
- Any of a group of deadly organophosphate nerve agents developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 1980s to evade restrictions on chemical weapons.“Those still fixated on the problem and not the solution will argue that the United States should take no action on the CWC until Russia “comes clean” about the novichok program under the Memorandum of Understanding.”