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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

polycyclic

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

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

Some of the complex chemistry this helps accentuate involves polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs.

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2022

We've been trying it, but that's a polycyclic screen.

From Triplanetary by E. E. (Edward Elmer) Smith