biphenyl

[ bahy-fen-l, -feen-l ]

nounChemistry.
  1. a water-insoluble, pleasant-smelling, colorless powder or white scales, C12H10, composed of two phenyl groups, from which benzidine dyes are derived: used chiefly as a heat-transfer agent and in organic synthesis.

Origin of biphenyl

1
First recorded in 1920–25; bi-1 + phenyl

Words Nearby biphenyl

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British Dictionary definitions for biphenyl

biphenyl

/ (baɪˈfɛnəl, -ˈfiː-) /


noun
  1. a white or colourless crystalline solid used as a heat-transfer agent, as a fungicide, as an antifungal food preservative (E230) on the skins of citrus fruit, and in the manufacture of dyes, etc. Formula: C 6 H 5 C 6 H 5

  2. any substituted derivative of biphenyl

  • Also called: diphenyl

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