naphthalene

naph·tha·lene

noun \-ˌlēn\

Definition of NAPHTHALENE

: a crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon C₁₀H₈ usually obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially in organic synthesis

Origin of NAPHTHALENE

alteration of earlier naphthaline, irregular from naphtha

First Known Use: 1821

naph·tha·lene

noun \-ˌlēn\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of NAPHTHALENE

: a crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon C₁₀H₈ usually obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially in organic synthesis and formerly as a topical and intestinal antiseptic

—naph·tha·len·ic \ˌnaf-thə-ˈlen-ik, ˌnap-, -ˈlēn-\ (audio pronunciation) (audio pronunciation) adjective

naphthalene

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Simplest of the fused (condensed) ring hydrocarbons, an aromatic compound composed of two benzene rings sharing two adjacent carbon atoms (CH). It is a white solid at room temperature, very volatile, with a characteristic odour. Naphthalene is an important raw material in the manufacture of dyes and synthetic resins and has been used as a moth repellent.