nepetalactone
/nɪˌpiːtəˈlaktəʊn/Chemistry
noun
A monoterpenoid lactone containing a methylcyclopentane ring, C10H14O2, which is found in some plants of the mint family (especially the catmint Nepeta cataria), and has a scent that is strongly attractive to many cats and repellent to many insects.
- Naturally occurring nepetalactone is a mixture of cis-trans and trans-cis isomers..
Origin
1940s. From nepeta + lactone.
- third eyelid
- third force
- third-generation
- third-hand
- third heaven
- Third International
- third-level
- thirdly
- third man
- third market
- third party
- third person
- third-person shooter
- third position
- Third Programme
- third rail
- third-rate
- third-rater
- third reading
- Third Reich
- Third Republic
- third sector
- third time lucky (or third time is the charm)
- third ventricle
- third wave