naphthalene

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: naph=tha=lene

CIDE DICTIONARY

naphthalene, n. 

 A white crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon, C10H8, analogous to benzene, and obtained by the distillation of certain bituminous materials, such as the heavy oil of coal tar. It is the type and basis of a large number of derivatives among organic compounds. Formerly called also naphthaline.  [1913 Webster]

Naphthalene red (Chem.), a dyestuff obtained from certain diazo derivatives of naphthylamine, and called also magdala red. -- Naphthalene yellow (Chem.), a yellow dyestuff obtained from certain nitro derivatives of naphthol.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

naphthalene, n. a white crystalline aromatic substance produced by the distillation of coal tar and used in mothballs and the manufacture of dyes etc.

Derivative

naphthalic adj.

Etymology

NAPHTHA + -ENE