terpene

[tur-peen]

noun Chemistry.

(originally) any of a class of monocyclic hydrocarbons of the formula C10H16, obtained from plants.
this class or any of its oxygenated derivatives, any hydrocarbon from the same source having the formula C5H8 (hemiterpene), the formula C10H16 with an aliphatic structure (acyclic terpene) or two-ringed structure (bicyclic terpene), the formula C15H24 (sesquiterpene), etc., and any of their oxygenated derivatives.

Origin of terpene

1865–70; alteration of terebene, with p from turpentine

Related formster·pene·less, adjectiveter·pe·nic

[tur-pee-nik] /tɜrˈpi nɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for terpene

Historical Examples of terpene

The terpene from American turpentine is called austraterebenthene.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 711, August 17, 1889
Various
The principal constituents of the oil are a terpene, asarol alcohol, another alcohol, and methyl eugenol.
The Handbook of Soap Manufacture
W. H. Simmons
They are usually present in the plant oil in mixtures with each other or with a terpene.
The Chemistry of Plant Life
Roscoe Wilfred Thatcher
Hence it is a hydrocarbon of the terpene series, having the general formula CnH2n-4.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 460, October 25, 1884
Various
Chemically, the camphors may be divided into two main groups, according to the nature of the corresponding hydrocarbon or terpene.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 2
Various

British Dictionary definitions for terpene

terpene

noun

any one of a class of unsaturated hydrocarbons, such as the carotenes, that are found in the essential oils of many plants. Their molecules contain isoprene units and have the general formula (C 5 H 8) n

Derived Formsterpenic, adjective

Word Origin for terpene

C19: terp- from obsolete terpentine turpentine + -ene

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

terpene in Medicine

terpene

[tûr′pēn′]

Any of various unsaturated hydrocarbons in essential oils and certain resins of plants and used in organic syntheses.

terpene in Science

terpene

[tûr′pēn′]

Any of a class of hydrocarbons consisting of two or more isoprene (C5H8) units joined together. Simple terpenes are found in the essential oils and resins of plants such as conifers. Turpentine, for example, is such an oil. More complex terpenes include vitamin A, carotenoid pigments (such as lycopene), squalene, and rubber. Terpenes are used in organic synthesis.