caprolactam

[ kap-roh-lak-tam ]

noun

1. a white, water-soluble compound, C 6 H 11 NO, used to produce a type of nylon.

caprolactam

/ ˌkæprəʊˈlæktæm /

noun

1. a white crystalline cyclic imine used in the manufacture of nylon. Formula: C 5 H 10 NHCO

Word History and Origins

Origin of caprolactam¹

First recorded in 1940–45; capro(ic acid) ( def ) + lactam

Word History and Origins

Origin of caprolactam¹

C20: from capro ( ic acid ) + lactam