citronellal

[ si-truh-nel-al, -uh l ]

/ ˌsɪ trəˈnɛl æl, -əl /

noun

a colorless, slightly water-soluble liquid mixture of isometric aldehydes having the formula C10H18O, with a strong lemonlike odor, occurring in many essential oils, usually derived from lemon, citronella oil, and other oils: used chiefly as a flavoring agent and in the manufacture of perfume.

Nearby words

citron melon, citron wood, citronalis, citronella, citronella oil, citronellal, citronellol, citrovorum factor, citrulline, citrullinemia, citrullinuria

Origin of citronellal

First recorded in 1890–95; citronell(a) + -al³

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for citronellal

citronellal

/ (ˌsɪtrəˈnɛlæl) /

noun

a colourless slightly water-soluble liquid with a lemon-like odour, a terpene aldehyde found esp in citronella and certain eucalyptus oils: used as a flavouring and in soaps and perfumes. Formula: (CH 3) 2 C:CH(CH 2) 2 CH(CH 3)CH 2 CHOAlso called: rhodinal

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