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

---

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

Partly responsible for this typical smell are terpenes, a group of substances found in tree resins and essential oils.

From Science Daily

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

There is an important prerequisite for their development into drugs, however: these terpenes should be produced synthetically from simple starting materials.

From Science Daily

The smalls instead come from natural oils called terpenes and flavonoids.

From Salon

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

From Salon