terpene
/ˈtəːpiːn
/noun Chemistry
Any of a large group of volatile unsaturated hydrocarbons found in the essential oils of plants, especially conifers and citrus trees. They are based on a cyclic molecule having the formula C10H16.Lactones, phenolic aldehydes (such as vanillin), terpenes (essential oils) and wood tannins are all by-products of oak, so it is understandable that too much can rob a white wine of its fruit and delicacy....
- In woody plants, carbon-based chemical compounds such as phenolics and terpenes comprise the main chemical defence.
- Essential oils contain many terpenes, which are rapidly absorbed through the lungs and cross the blood-brain barrier.
Origin
Late 19th century: from German Terpentin 'turpentine' + -ene.
- turn something round (or around)
- turn something to advantage (or to one's advantage)
- turn something to (good) account
- turn something up
- turnspit
- turns ratio
- turnstile
- turnstone
- turntable
- turntable ladder
- turntablism
- turntablist
- turn tail
- turn the (or a) corner
- Nechtansmere, Battle of
- necial
- neck
- neck and neck
- Neckar
- neckband
- neckbeard
- neck beef
- neck-bone
- neck-break
- neck canal