xylene nounEtymology: International Scientific Vocabulary Date: 1851
any of three toxic flammable oily isomeric aromatic hydrocarbons
C8H10 that are di-methyl homologues of benzene and
are usually obtained from petroleum or natural gas distillates; also
a mixture of xylenes and ethyl benzene used chiefly as a solvent
xylene n. Chem. one of three isomeric hydrocarbons formed from benzene by the substitution of two methyl groups, obtained from wood etc. Etymology: formed as XYLEM + -ENE
Xylene \Xy"lene\, n. [Gr. xy`lon wood.] (Chem.)
Any of a group of three metameric hydrocarbons of the
aromatic series, found in coal and wood tar, and so named
because found in crude wood spirit. They are colorless, oily,
inflammable liquids, C6H4.(CH3)2, being dimethyl benzenes,
and are called respectively orthoxylene, metaxylene, and
paraxylene. Called also xylol.
Note: Each of these xylenes is the nucleus and prototype of a
distinct series of compounds.
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