Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

coumarin

American  
[koo-muh-rin] / ˈku mə rɪn /
Or cumarin

noun

  1. a fragrant crystalline substance, C 9 H 6 O 2 , obtained from the tonka bean, sweet clover, and certain other plants or prepared synthetically, used chiefly in soaps and perfumery.


coumarin British  
/ ˈkuːmərɪn /

noun

  1. a white vanilla-scented crystalline ester, used in perfumes and flavourings and as an anticoagulant. Formula: C 9 H 6 O 2

"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

coumarin Scientific  
/ ko̅o̅′mər-ĭn /
  1. A fragrant crystalline compound extracted from several plants, such as tonka beans and sweet clover, or produced synthetically. Coumarin and its derivatives are widely used in perfumes, as anticoagulants, and as rodenticides. Chemical formula: C 9 H 6 O 2 .


Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of coumarin

1820–30; < French coumarine, equivalent to coumar ( ou ) tonka-bean tree (< Spanish cumarú < Portuguese < Tupi cumaru ) + -ine -in 2


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Alongside is a sidecar of vanilla-tonka bean maple syrup, heady with the almond-y, fresh-hay scent of coumarin — a naturally occurring chemical in the seeds of the kumaru tree.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2024

One of the active ingredients, coumarin, can be toxic for some people's livers.

From Salon ● Oct. 10, 2024

The team led by Prof. Tsogoeva at the Chair of Organic Chemistry I decided to combine artemisinin with bioactive coumarins because coumarin derivatives also possess anti-malaria properties.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 20, 2023

Q: I’ve just bought a pound of Ceylon cinnamon, since that is supposed to have the least coumarin and be best for lowering blood sugar.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 1, 2021

The flowers contain "coumarin," and their volatile pollen impregnates the atmosphere in early summer.

From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by William Thomas Fernie

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training