naphthalene

[ naf-thuh-leen, nap- ]

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

Origin of naphthalene

1
First recorded in 1865–70; naphth- + -al3 + -ene
  • Also called tar camphor .
  • Also naph·tha·line, naph·tha·lin [naf-thuh-lin, nap-]. /ˈnæf θə lɪn, ˈnæp-/.

Other words from naphthalene

  • naph·thal·ic [naf-thal-ik, nap-], /næfˈθæl ɪk, næp-/, naph·tha·len·ic [naf-thuh-len-ik, nap-], /ˌnæf θəˈlɛn ɪk, ˌnæp-/, adjective

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How to use naphthalene in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for naphthalene

naphthalene

naphthaline naphthalin (ˈnæfθəlɪn, ˈnæp-)

/ (ˈnæfθəˌliːn, ˈnæp-) /


noun
  1. 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

Origin of naphthalene

1
C19: from naphtha + alcohol + -ene

Derived forms of naphthalene

  • naphthalic (næfˈθælɪk, næp-), adjective

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

Scientific definitions for naphthalene

naphthalene

[ năfthə-lēn′ ]


  1. 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.

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