polycyclic

American  

[pol-ee-sahy-klik, -sik-lik] / ˌpɒl iˈsaɪ klɪk, -ˈsɪk lɪk /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. pertaining to an organic compound containing several atomic rings, usually fused.

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polycyclic British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˈsaɪklɪk /

adjective

1. (of a molecule or compound) containing or having molecules that contain two or more closed rings of atoms

2. biology having two or more rings or whorls

   polycyclic shells

   a polycyclic stele

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noun

1. a polycyclic compound

   anthracene is a polycyclic

polycyclic Scientific  

/ pŏl′ĭ-sī′klĭk,-sĭk′lĭk /

1. Having two or more atomic rings in a molecule. Steroids are polycyclic compounds.

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Etymology

Origin of polycyclic

First recorded in 1865–70; poly- + cyclic

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

polycyclic

These included polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which indicate the intensity of slash-and-burn fires; leaf waxes, which reflect vegetation and rainfall patterns; and fecal stanols, which help estimate population size.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 27, 2026

Another had high levels of a class of contaminants called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can cause headaches, coughing, skin irritation and, over long periods of exposure, can come with an increased risk of cancer.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 16, 2025

In homes we were able to test, my colleagues found elevated levels of metals and PAHs – polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons – in the ash.

From Salon ● Jan. 8, 2025

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 E. E. (Edward Elmer) Smith

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