Benzene

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Benzene \Ben"zene\, n. [From {Benzoin}.] (Chem.)
     A volatile, very inflammable liquid, {C6H6}, contained in the
     naphtha produced by the destructive distillation of coal,
     from which it is separated by fractional distillation. The
     name is sometimes applied also to the impure commercial
     product or benzole, and also, but rarely, to a similar mixed


     product of petroleum.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     {Benzene nucleus}, {Benzene ring} (Chem.), a closed chain or
        ring, consisting of six carbon atoms, each with one
        hydrogen atom attached, regarded as the type from which
        the aromatic compounds are derived. This ring formula is
        provisionally accepted as representing the probable
        constitution of the benzene molecule, {C6H6}, and as the
        type on which its derivatives are formed.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  benzene
       n : a colorless liquid hydrocarbon; highly inflammable;
           carcinogenic; the simplest of the aromatic compounds
           [syn: {benzine}, {benzol}]