cumene

noun

cu·​mene

ˈkyü(ˌ)mēn

plural -s

: a colorless oily hydrocarbon (CH₃)₂CHC₆H₅ obtained by acid-catalyzed alkylation of benzene with propylene and used as an additive for high-octane motor fuel; isopropyl-benzene

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary cum- + -ene; originally formed as French cumène

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