biphenyl

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

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a water-insoluble, pleasant-smelling, colorless powder or white scales, C 12 H 10 , composed of two phenyl groups, from which benzidine dyes are derived: used chiefly as a heat-transfer agent and in organic synthesis.

biphenyl

/ -ˈfiː-; baɪˈfɛnəl /

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of biphenyl¹

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