furan

[ fyoo r-an, fyoo-ran ]
/ ˈfyʊər æn, fyʊˈræn /

noun

a colorless, liquid, unsaturated, five-membered heterocyclic compound, C4H4O, obtained from furfural: used chiefly in organic synthesis.
Also called furfuran.

Origin of furan

First recorded in 1890–95; aphetic form of furfuran

British Dictionary definitions for furan

furan
/ (ˈfjʊəræn, fjʊəˈræn) /

noun

a colourless flammable toxic liquid heterocyclic compound, used in the manufacture of cotton textiles and in the synthesis of nylon. Formula: C 4 H 4 O Also called: furfuran

Word Origin for furan

C19: shortened form of furfuran, from furfur

Medical definitions for furan

furan
[ fyurăn′, fyu-răn ]

n.

Any of a group of colorless, volatile, heterocyclic organic compounds containing a ring of four carbon atoms and one oxygen atom, used in the synthesis of organics.

Scientific definitions for furan

furan
[ fyurăn′, fyu-răn ]

Any of a group of colorless, volatile, organic compounds containing a ring of four carbon atoms and one oxygen atom. Furans are obtained from wood oils and used in the synthesis of many organic compounds.
The simplest such compound, consisting of a furan ring with two double bonds and attached to four hydrogen atoms. Chemical formula: C4H4O.