polycyclic
Americanadjective
adjective
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(of a molecule or compound) containing or having molecules that contain two or more closed rings of atoms
-
biology having two or more rings or whorls
polycyclic shells
a polycyclic stele
noun
Etymology
Origin of polycyclic
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.
Both areas were tested for metals, nutrients, polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are all chemicals that may be found in water runoff based on previous California wildfires, officials said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2025
The process produces hazardous waste and releases carcinogens like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are toxic at very low concentrations.
From Salon ● Oct. 25, 2024
In this representative-color image, blue tendrils trace emission from material that includes dusty silicates and sooty chemical molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2023
Look at the longer wavelength version to examine the sculpted green clouds of gas that contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2023
"That must be that sixth-phase polycyclic screen that Conway reported on," Cleveland frowned in thought.
From Triplanetary by Smith, E. E. (Edward Elmer)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
