cumene

[ kyoo-meen ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless and toxic liquid, C 9 H 12 , soluble in alcohol: used as a solvent and in the production of phenol and acetone.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumene¹

< French cumène; cumin, -ene

Example Sentences

When heated with phosphorus pentoxide it yields acetone, water and some pseudo-cumene.

From Project Gutenberg