camphene

[ kam-feen, kam-feen ]

noun

1. a colorless, crystalline, water-insoluble substance, C 10 H 16 , occurring in turpentine and many other essential oils, prepared from pinene: used chiefly as an intermediate in the manufacture of synthetic camphor.

camphene

/ ˈkæmfiːn /

noun

1. a colourless crystalline insoluble optically active terpene derived from pinene and present in many essential oils. Formula: C 10 H 16

Word History and Origins

Origin of camphene¹

1835–45; < New Latin camph ( ora ) camphor + -ene

Word History and Origins

Origin of camphene¹

C19: from camph ( or ) + -ene

Example Sentences

"These are very pretty lamps—I never can see by a camphene lamp," said her husband.

From Project Gutenberg

One night, while she was dressing in her private room at the theatre, a camphene lamp exploded and her face was shockingly burned.

From Project Gutenberg

A dangerous but very extensively used illuminating liquid before coal oil was discovered was camphene, distilled from turpentine.

From Project Gutenberg

I have only one cheap drink left—one glass of camphene whiskey, which seems to burn my very soul.

From Project Gutenberg

To complete this room, and make it look like other people's we want a piano and camphene lamps.

From Project Gutenberg