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terpene

American  
[tur-peen] / ˈtɜr pin /

noun

Chemistry.

  1. (originally) any of a class of monocyclic hydrocarbons of the formula C 10 H 16 , obtained from plants.

  2. this class or any of its oxygenated derivatives, any hydrocarbon from the same source having the formula C 5 H 8 hemiterpene, the formula C 10 H 16 with an aliphatic structure acyclic terpene or two-ringed structure bicyclic terpene, the formula C 15 H 24 sesquiterpene, etc., and any of their oxygenated derivatives.

terpene British  
/ ˈtɜːpiːn /

noun

  1. 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

"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 Scientific  
/ tûr′pēn′ /

  1. Any of a class of hydrocarbons consisting of two or more isoprene (C 5 H 8) 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.

Other Word Forms

  • terpeneless adjective
  • terpenic adjective

Etymology

Origin of terpene

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

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.

Though QS-21 is a complex molecule containing a terpene core and eight sugar molecules, it has been synthesized in the laboratory.

From Science Daily • May 8, 2024

Wormwood contains a compound known as thujones, which is a terpene.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2023

“And it explains the different terpene profiles and what the terpenes are good for.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 10, 2021

With a heavy limonene terpene profile, Super Lemon Haze pairs perfectly with fish, specifically salmon.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 1, 2021

Terpineol, an alcohol also prepared from turpentine oil by the action of sulphuric acid, terpene hydrate being formed as an intermediate substance.

From The Handbook of Soap Manufacture by Simmons, W. H.

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.