Main Entry:

ter·pene

Pronunciation:

\ˈtər-ˌpēn\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

International Scientific Vocabulary terp- (from German Terpentin turpentine, from Medieval Latin terbentina) + -ene — more at turpentine

Date:

circa 1873

: any of various isomeric hydrocarbons C₁₀H₁₆ found present in essential oils (as from conifers) and used especially as solvents and in organic synthesis ; broadly : any of numerous hydrocarbons (C₅H₈)_n found especially in essential oils, resins, and balsams

— ter·pene·less \-ləs\ adjective

— ter·pe·noid \ˈtər-pə-ˌnȯid, ˌtər-ˈpē-\ adjective or noun