neral

[neer-al]

noun

citral b.See under citral.

Origin of neral

First recorded in 1935–40; ner(ol) + -al³

citral

[si-truh l]

noun Chemistry.

a pale yellow, water-insoluble, liquid aldehyde, C10H16O, having a strong lemonlike odor, consisting in natural form of two isomers (citral a or geranial and citral b or neral), usually obtained from the oils of lemon and orange or synthetically: used chiefly in perfumery, flavoring, and the synthesis of vitamin A.

Origin of citral

First recorded in 1890–95; citr(us) + -al¹

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

British Dictionary definitions for neral

neral

noun

chem the trans- isomer of citral

Word Origin for neral

C20: from nerol (an alcohol from neroli oil) + -al ³

citral

noun

a yellow volatile liquid with a lemon-like odour, found in oils of lemon grass, orange, and lemon and used in perfumery: a terpene aldehyde consisting of the cis- isomer (citral-a or geranial) and the trans- isomer (citral-b or neral). Formula: (CH 3) 2 C:CH(CH 2) 2 C(CH 3):CHCHO

Word Origin for citral

C19: from citr (us) + -al ³

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