Terpene

Origin

Full definition of terpene

Noun

1. (organic chemistry) A very large class of naturally occurring and synthetic organic compounds formally derived from the hydrocarbon isoprene; they include many volatile compounds used in perfume and food flavours, turpentine, the steroids, the carotene pigments and rubber.

Usage notes

Terpenes are properly only hydrocarbons. Oxygenated derivatives are terpenoids.

Related terms

• terpenoid
• terpeneless

Hypernyms

• hydrocarbon

Hyponyms

• diterpene
• monoterpene
• polyterpene
• sesquiterpene
• sesterterpene
• tetraterpene
• triterpene

Anagrams

• preteen, pre-teen