sesquiterpene

noun

ses·​qui·​ter·​pene ˌse-skwə-ˈtər-ˌpēn 

: any of a class of terpenes C₁₅H₂₄

also : a derivative of such a terpene

Examples of sesquiterpene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Higher up in the canopy, sesquiterpenes were harder to track. —WIRED, 29 Sep. 2023

Another essential oil with similarly soothing qualities is cedarwood, a deeply grounding oil that contains sesquiterpenes, plant compounds that can affect the central nervous system, trigger serotonin production and promote calm. —Georgia Day, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2023

This suggested that ozone was turning sesquiterpenes into cloud-seeding aerosols. —WIRED, 29 Sep. 2023

Many discoveries about sesquiterpenes are relatively recent. —WIRED, 29 Sep. 2023

Other terpenes such as pinene, linalool, limonene and the sesquiterpene, beta-caryophyllene are pain relievers, especially when applied directly to the skin as a liniment. —James David Adams, Discover Magazine, 25 Mar. 2019

Those similar substances include flavonoids, a group of plant metabolites that have antioxidant effects, and sesquiterpene lactones, a class of chemical compounds that are known to have anti-inflammatory properties, Merville said. —Scott Cacciola, New York Times, 4 May 2016

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1888, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

sesquiterpene

noun

ses·​qui·​ter·​pene ˌses-kwi-ˈtər-ˌpēn 

: any of a class of terpenes C₁₅H₂₄ containing half again as many atoms in each molecule as monoterpenes

also : a derivative of such a terpene