citronellal

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

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.

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

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