cymene

noun

cy·​mene

-ˌmēn

plural -s

: any of three isomeric liquid aromatic hydrocarbons (CH₃)₂CHC₆H₄CH₃; methyl-isopropyl-benzene

especially : the para isomer found in many essential oils (as pine oil and spruce turpentine), obtained as a by-product in the production of sulfite pulp, and made synthetically

Word History

Etymology

French cymène, from Greek kyminon cumin + French -ène -ene

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