fluorene

noun

flu·​o·​rene

ˈflu̇(ə)ˌrēn,

ˈflōrˌēn,

ˈflȯˌrēn

plural -s

: a colorless crystalline cyclic hydrocarbon C₁₃H₁₀ that has a violet fluorescence and that is obtained usually from the coal-tar distillate which boils between naphthalene and anthracene; ortho-diphenylene-methane

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary fluor- + -ene; originally formed as French fluorène

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!