azulene

noun

azu·​lene

ˈazhəˌlēn

plural -s

1

a

: a liquid hydrocarbon C₁₅H₁₈ of intense blue color found in some essential oils (such as oil of cubebs) and in lignite tar

b

: any of various blue to violet or green hydrocarbons closely related chemically to this hydrocarbon and occurring naturally in essential oils or formed from various colorless naturally occurring sesquiterpenes

2

: a synthetic blue crystalline unsaturated bicyclic hydrocarbon C₁₀H₈ that resembles the isometric naphthalene in some properties but is more active chemically and that is the parent compound of the azulenes; cyclo-penta-cyclo-heptene

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary azul- (from Spanish azul blue, from Old Spanish azur, azul) + -ene

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now