a carcinogenic aromatic hydrocarbon, C18H12, consisting of four fused benzene rings, produced by incomplete combustion of organic matter
Word origin
[1935–40; benz- + anthracene]This word is first recorded in the period 1935–40. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Arts and Crafts Movement, Rhodesian ridgeback, bingo, blitz, fluorocarbon