n, pl  -cu*ries  :  any of various toxic compounds of mercury containing the complex CH₃Hg- that often occur as pollutants formed as industrial by-products or pesticide residues, tend to accumulate in living organisms (as fish) esp. in higher levels of a food chain, are rapidly and easily absorbed through the human intestinal wall, and cause neurological dysfunction in humans - see MINAMATA DISEASE  .
 
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