xylene

Definition

Any of a group of three isomeric aromatic hydrocarbons, found in coal and wood tar.

Etymology

From xyl- + -ene.

Example Sentences

• "[…] proceeding, desperately, from such opiated catarrh preparations as Collis Brown's Mixture on to cocainized brain tonics, cigarettes soaked in absinthe, xylene in unventilated rooms, and so on […]"