naphthalene

[naf-thuh-leen, nap-] /ˈnæf θəˌlin, ˈnæp-/
noun, Chemistry
1.
a white, crystalline, water-insoluble hydrocarbon, C 1 0 H 8 , usually obtained from coal tar: used in making dyes, as a moth repellant, etc.
Also, naphthaline, naphthalin
[naf-thuh-lin, nap-] /ˈnæf θə lɪn, ˈnæp-/ (Show IPA).
Also called tar camphor.
Origin
1865-70; naphth- + -al3 + -ene
Related forms
naphthalic
[naf-thal-ik, nap-] /næfˈθæl ɪk, næp-/ (Show IPA), naphthalenic
[naf-thuh-len-ik, nap-] /ˌnæf θəˈlɛn ɪk, ˌnæp-/ (Show IPA), adjective
Examples from the web for naphthalene
  • Fuels such as petroleum and coal contain naphthalene.
British Dictionary definitions for naphthalene

naphthalene

/ˈnæfθəˌliːn; ˈnæp-/
noun
1.
a white crystalline volatile solid with a characteristic penetrating odour: an aromatic hydrocarbon used in mothballs and in the manufacture of dyes, explosives, etc. Formula: C10H8
Derived Forms
naphthalic (næfˈθælɪk; næp-) adjective
Word Origin
C19: from naphtha + alcohol + -ene
Word Origin and History for naphthalene
n.

1821, coined by English chemist John Kidd (1775-1851), who first isolated and studied it, from naphtha + chemical suffix -ine (2) + -l- for the sake of euphony.

naphthalene in Medicine

naphthalene naph·tha·lene or naph·tha·line (nāf'thə-lēn', nāp'-) or naph·tha·lin (-lĭn)
n.
A toxic carcinogenic hydrocarbon derived from coal tar or petroleum and used as a solvent.

naph'tha·len'ic (-lěn'ĭk) adj.
naphthalene in Science
naphthalene
  (nāf'thə-lēn')   
A white crystalline compound made from coal tar or petroleum and used to make dyes, mothballs, explosives, and solvents. Naphthalene consists of two benzene rings fused together. Chemical formula: C10H8.