benzene

(benzēn, ben zēn)

noun

a clear, flammable, poisonous, aromatic liquid, CH, obtained by scrubbing coal gas with oil and by the fractional distillation of coal tar: it is used as a solvent and in making a vast number of derivatives used in plastics, insecticides, detergents, paints, dyes, etc.

Origin: benz(oic) + -ene

See benzene in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
A colorless, flammable, liquid aromatic hydrocarbon, C6H6, derived from petroleum and used in or to manufacture a wide variety of chemical products, including DDT, detergents, insecticides, and motor fuels. Also called benzine, benzol.

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