citronellal

American  

[si-truh-nel-al, -uhl] / ˌsɪ trəˈnɛl æl, -əl /

noun

1. a colorless, slightly water-soluble liquid mixture of isometric aldehydes having the formula C 10 H 18 O, with a strong lemonlike odor, occurring in many essential oils, usually derived from lemon, citronella oil, and other oils: used chiefly as a flavoring agent and in the manufacture of perfume.

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citronellal British  

/ ˌsɪtrəˈnɛlæl /

noun

1. Also called: rhodinal.  a colourless slightly water-soluble liquid with a lemon-like odour, a terpene aldehyde found esp in citronella and certain eucalyptus oils: used as a flavouring and in soaps and perfumes. Formula: (CH 3 ) 2 C:CH(CH 2 ) 2 CH(CH 3 )CH 2 CHO

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Etymology

Origin of citronellal

First recorded in 1890–95; citronell(a) + -al ³