aniline

noun

an·​i·​line ˈa-nə-lən 

: an oily liquid poisonous amine C₆H₅NH₂ obtained especially by the reduction of nitrobenzene and used chiefly in organic synthesis (as of dyes)

Examples of aniline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To make up for the loss of grapes, writes economic historian James Simpson, large wine houses simply began importing vines and grapes from other countries, making wine from raisins, and dying their product red with anything from elderberries to coal-tar anilines. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 Apr. 2025

Officials from the Avellaneda municipality suspect the presence of aniline in water samples taken on Friday morning, according to LA NACION. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025

Another variation of aniline, called pull-up leather, is embedded with waxes or oils. —Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2023

The company estimated that 4 pounds of aniline, 1.4 pounds of hydrochloric acid and a half pound of DADPM were released in liquid form. —Mark Schleifstein, NOLA.com, 3 Jan. 2021

Word History

Etymology

German Anilin, from Anil indigo, from French, from Portuguese, from Arabic al-nīl the indigo plant, from Sanskrit nīlī indigo, from feminine of nīla dark blue

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing aniline

• aniline dye

Rhymes for aniline

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean
• carnitine

Kids Definition

aniline

noun

an·​i·​line ˈan-ᵊl-ən 

: an oily poisonous liquid that is used in making dyes

Medical Definition

aniline

noun

an·​i·​line ˈan-ᵊl-ən 

: an oily liquid poisonous amine C₆H₅NH₂ obtained especially by the reduction of nitrobenzene and used chiefly in organic synthesis (as of dyes and pharmaceuticals)

aniline adjective