biphenyl

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

/ baɪˈfɛn l, -ˈfin l /

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noun Chemistry.

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.

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Also called diphenyl, phenylbenzene.

Origin of biphenyl

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

Words nearby biphenyl

bipedal, bipedalism, bipetalous, biphasic, biphasic pill, biphenyl, Biphetamine, bipinnaria, bipinnate, biplane, BIPOC

British Dictionary definitions for biphenyl

biphenyl

/ (baɪˈfɛnəl, -ˈfiː-) /

noun

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

any substituted derivative of biphenyl

Also called: diphenyl

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012