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ter·pi·nene | \ -pəˌnēn \
plural -s
Definition of terpinene
: any of three liquid isomeric monocyclic terpene hydrocarbons C10H16 obtained usually in mixtures of the alpha and gamma isomers (as by isomerization of pinene, alpha-phellandrene, or dipentene with sulfuric acid): such as
a : the isomer that has an odor like that of lemons and is the principal component of the mixtures and that occurs in coriander oil, chenopodium oil, and other essential oils; 1,3-para-mentha-diene
— called also alpha-terpinene
b : the isomer that occurs in coriander oil, lemon oil, and other essential oils; 1,4-para-menthadiene
— called also crithmene, gamma-terpinene
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