meta-xylene

meta-xylene

[¦med·ə ′zī‚lēn] (organic chemistry) 1,3-C6H4(CH3)2 A flammable, toxic liquid; insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and ether; boils at 139°C; used as an intermediate for dyes, a chemical intermediate, and a solvent, and in insecticides and aviation fuel.