coumarin

noun

cou·​ma·​rin ˈkü-mə-rən 

: a toxic white crystalline lactone C₉H₆O₂ with an odor of new-mown hay found in plants or made synthetically and used especially in perfumery and as a parent compound in anticoagulant agents

also : a derivative of this compound

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

This latest version of the scent reportedly features top notes of lavender and bergamot, middle notes of jasmine, iris, and rose, and base notes of vanilla, sandalwood, coumarin, benzoin, licorice, and patchouli. —Marci Robin, Allure, 4 Aug. 2019

Galium odoratum owes its sweet scent to the odiferous agent coumarin. —Earl Nickel, SFChronicle.com, 8 June 2018

Cassia can contain relatively high concentrations of coumarin, a plant compound that can damage the liver. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 8 Mar. 2018

Cassia sticks, which look like a thick layer of rolled bark, also contained 18 times more coumarin than Ceylon sticks, which have thin layers. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 8 Mar. 2018

Both cassia cinnamon and Saigon cinnamon contain coumarin, a natural compound that can harm the liver when taken in large amounts. —Teresa Graedon, The Seattle Times, 21 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

French coumarine, from coumarou tonka bean tree, from Spanish or Portuguese; Spanish cumarú, from Portuguese, from Tupi *kumarú, *kumbarú

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

coumarin

noun

cou·​ma·​rin ˈkü-mə-rən 

: a toxic white crystalline lactone C₉H₆O₂ with an odor of new-mown hay found in plants or made synthetically and used especially in perfumery and as the parent compound in various anticoagulant agents (as warfarin)

also : a derivative of this compound