cymene

American  

[sahy-meen] / ˈsaɪ min /

noun

1. a colorless, pleasant-smelling benzene derivative, C 10 H 14 , occurring in the volatile oil of the common cumin, Cuminum cyminum, and existing in three forms, the ortho, meta, and para isomers.

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cymene British  

/ ˈsaɪmiːn /

noun

1. a colourless insoluble liquid with an aromatic odour that exists in three isomeric forms; methylpropylbenzene: used as solvents and for making synthetic resins. The para- isomer is present in several essential oils. Formula: CH 3 C 6 H 4 CH(CH 3 ) 2

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Etymology

Origin of cymene

1860–65; < Greek kým ( īnon ) cumin + -ene

Example Sentences

This is the portion of eucalyptus oil which passes over between 347� and 351� F., and crystallizes at 30� F. It consists chiefly of a terpene and cymene.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 8 "Ethiopia" to "Evangelical Association" by Various

It is the type of the terpenes and is related to cymene.

From The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary Section T, U, V, and W by Project Gutenberg

Terebenthene belongs to the benzene or aromatic series, which can be shown from its connection with cymene.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 711, August 17, 1889 by Various

Finally, Dr Armstrong mentioned that the volatile portion of the distillate from the non-volatile product of the oxidation of oil of turpentine in moist air furnishes ordinary cymene when treated in the manner above described.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 275, April 9, 1881 by Various

The fact that rosin spirit yields a different cymene is, he considers, an argument against the view which has more than once been put forward, that rosin is directly derived from terpene.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 275, April 9, 1881 by Various