terpene

Definition

Any of a very large class of naturally occurring and synthetic organic compounds formally derived from the hydrocarbon isoprene; they include many volatile compounds used in perfume and food flavours, turpentine, the steroids, the carotene pigments and rubber.

Etymology

From German Terpen, coined by August Kekulé in 1866 in analogy to German Terpentin, from Latin terebinthina. Piecewise doublet of terpin; compare also terebinth and turpentine.

Example Sentences

• "Naval stores production is based upon exploiting the terpene chemical defense system of the pine tree, which protects against wood-decaying fungi and insect pests such as bark beetles (Dendroctonus Ips sp.). […] Pine oleoresin is a complex mixture of about 30 to 50 different terpene molecules, chiefly composed of diterpene resin acids and monoterpene essential oils, which impart different physical and biotic properties (Zinkel and Russell 1989)."