anthracene

[ an-thruh-seen ]
/ ˈæn θrəˌsin /

noun Chemistry.

a colorless, crystalline powder, C14H12, obtained from coal tar and having a violet fluorescence: used chiefly as a source of anthraquinone and alizarin, and in the process of measuring radioactive materials.

Origin of anthracene

First recorded in 1860–65; anthrac- + -ene

Words nearby anthracene

anthophore, anthophyllite, anthotaxy, anthozoan, anthrac-, anthracene, anthracite, anthracnose, anthraco-, anthracoid, anthracosilicosis

Example sentences from the Web for anthracene

British Dictionary definitions for anthracene

anthracene
/ (ˈænθrəˌsiːn) /

noun

a colourless tricyclic crystalline solid having a slight blue fluorescence, used in the manufacture of chemicals, esp diphenylamine and alizarin, and as crystals in scintillation counters. Formula: C 6 H 4 (CH) 2 C 6 H 4

Word Origin for anthracene

C19: from anthrax + -ene

Scientific definitions for anthracene

anthracene
[ ăn′thrə-sēn′ ]

A crystalline hydrocarbon that consists of three benzene rings fused together. It is extracted from coal tar and is used to make dyes and organic chemicals. Chemical formula: C14H10.