BENZENE
benzene, benzine, benzol
(noun) a colorless liquid hydrocarbon; highly flammable; carcinogenic; the simplest of the aromatic compounds
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
benzene (usually uncountable, plural benzenes)
(organic compound) An aromatic hydrocarbon of formula C6H6 whose structure consists of a ring of alternate single and double bonds.
(organic chemistry, in combination) Sometimes used in place of the phenyl group.
Source: Wiktionary
Ben"zene, n. Etym: [From Benzoin.] (Chem.)
Definition: A volatile, very inflammable liquid, C6H6, contained in the
naphtha produced by the destructive distillation of coal, from which
it is separated by fractional distillation. The name is sometimes
applied also to the impure commercial product or benzole, and also,
but rarely, to a similar mixed product of petroleum. Benzene nucleus,
Benzene ring (Chem.), a closed chain or ring, consisting of six
carbon atoms, each with one hydrogen atom attached, regarded as the
type from which the aromatic compounds are derived. This ring formula
is provisionally accepted as representing the probable constitution
of the benzene molecule, C6H6, and as the type on which its
derivatives are formed.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition