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Glite Dictionary
alpha-Terpinene

alpha-Terpinene

9.9
A natural chemical from some plant oils that people use to give perfume or flavor
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : alfa-terpineno
  • Cosmetic companies use alpha-Terpinene as a fragrance ingredient in soaps and lotions.

Examples

  • The alpha-Terpinene is commonly extracted from essential oils in marjoram and cardamom plants.

  • The presence of alpha-Terpinene adds a distinctive aroma to some herbal teas.

  • The fragrance contains alpha-Terpinene for a fresh scent.

  • Many essential oils include alpha-Terpinene as a key component.

  • The alpha-Terpinene extracted from marjoram gives a fresh scent to perfumes.

  • Many natural flavorings are enhanced by the presence of alpha-Terpinene.

  • In addition to its use in perfumes, alpha-Terpinene is found in various culinary herbs.

Synonyms

terpene
vsalpha-Terpinene
  • Specialized
1 8.4

A natural substance in plants that gives them their smell and appears in essential oils and resins

is narrower and names a single isomer used as scent and flavor ingredient
terpinene
vsalpha-Terpinene
  • Specialized
9.9

A substance in some plant oils that gives them a smell

is a single isomer used in perfumes and flavorings from specific plant oils
terpenoid
vsalpha-Terpinene
  • Specialized
7.5

A chemical found in plants that gives them smell and helps protect them

is an unmodified hydrocarbon isomer rather than a related modified compound used for scent

Surface Forms

alpha-Terpinene singular
alpha-Terpinene plural

Morphology

alpha-Terpinene = terpinene (semi-transparent) = alpha + terpinene

Formally transparent as 'alpha-' labels a positional isomer of 'terpinene', but understanding the meaning requires domain-specific chemical knowledge.

Etymology

Alpha-Terpinene joins alpha meaning 'first' with terpinene, a name that comes from the old word for 'turpentine', the strong-smelling tree resin. So alpha-Terpinene is the 'first' form of a scent molecule named after tree resin, which helps explain why it is used in perfumes and flavorings.