: any of various essential oils obtained from pines or other conifers or oils similar to these oils in composition: such as
a
: a colorless to light-amber liquid with an aroma of pine that contains principally terpineols and other terpenoid alcohols, is obtained from the wood especially of the longleaf pine, boils higher than wood turpentine, and is used chiefly as a solvent, in disinfectants, deodorants, insecticides, wetting and emulsifying agents, and detergents, and in ore flotation
b
: a synthetic oil made by hydrating terpene hydrocarbons to form alcohols
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share