naphthalene

[naf-thuh-leen, nap-]

noun Chemistry.

a white, crystalline, water-insoluble hydrocarbon, C10H8, usually obtained from coal tar: used in making dyes, as a moth repellant, etc.

Also naph·tha·line, naph·tha·lin

[naf-thuh-lin, nap-] /ˈnæf θə lɪn, ˈnæp-/.

Origin of naphthalene

First recorded in 1865–70; naphth- + -al³ + -ene

Also called tar camphor.

Related formsnaph·thal·ic

[naf-thal-ik, nap-] /næfˈθæl ɪk, næp-/, naph·tha·len·ic

[naf-thuh-len-ik, nap-] /ˌnæf θəˈlɛn ɪk, ˌnæp-/, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for naphthalene

Historical Examples of naphthalene

As aniline is to benzene, so are the naphthylamines to naphthalene.
Coal
Raphael Meldola
The important constituents of this portion are carbolic acid and naphthalene.
Coal
Raphael Meldola
The story of naphthalene is summarized in the schemes on pp. 164, 165.
Coal
Raphael Meldola
It is possible to start from benzene, toluene or naphthalene.
Creative Chemistry
Edwin E. Slosson
An excess of naphthalene should also be avoided, since, on account of its strong odour, soaps containing much of it are unpopular.
The Handbook of Soap Manufacture
W. H. Simmons

British Dictionary definitions for naphthalene

naphthalene

naphthaline naphthalin (ˈnæfθəlɪn, ˈnæp-)

noun

a white crystalline volatile solid with a characteristic penetrating odour: an aromatic hydrocarbon used in mothballs and in the manufacture of dyes, explosives, etc. Formula: C 10 H 8

Derived Formsnaphthalic (næfˈθælɪk, næp-), adjective

Word Origin for naphthalene

C19: from naphtha + alcohol + -ene

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

Word Origin and History for naphthalene

1821, coined by English chemist John Kidd (1775-1851), who first isolated and studied it, from naphtha + chemical suffix -ine (2) + -l- for the sake of euphony.

Medicine definitions for naphthalene

naphthalene

n.

A toxic carcinogenic hydrocarbon derived from coal tar or petroleum and used as a solvent.

Related formsnaph′tha•len′ic (-lĕn′ĭk) adj.

Science definitions for naphthalene

naphthalene

[năf′thə-lēn′]

A white crystalline compound made from coal tar or petroleum and used to make dyes, mothballs, explosives, and solvents. Naphthalene consists of two benzene rings fused together. Chemical formula: C10H8.