terpene
[tur-peen]
- (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.
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Origin of terpene
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for terpene
Historical Examples
The terpene from American turpentine is called austraterebenthene.
The principal constituents of the oil are a terpene, asarol alcohol, another alcohol, and methyl eugenol.
The Handbook of Soap ManufactureW. H. Simmons
They are usually present in the plant oil in mixtures with each other or with a terpene.
The Chemistry of Plant LifeRoscoe Wilfred Thatcher
Hence it is a hydrocarbon of the terpene series, having the general formula CnH2n-4.
Chemically, the camphors may be divided into two main groups, according to the nature of the corresponding hydrocarbon or terpene.
terpene
- 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
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Word Origin
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
(tûr′pēn′)- Any of various unsaturated hydrocarbons in essential oils and certain resins of plants and used in organic syntheses.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.