Main Entry: xy·lene

Pronunciation: \ˈzī-ˌlēn\

Function: noun

Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary

Date: 1851

: any of three toxic flammable oily isomeric aromatic hydrocarbons C₈H₁₀ that are di-methyl homologues of benzene and are usually obtained from petroleum or natural gas distillates; also : a mixture of xylenes and ethyl benzene used chiefly as a solvent