decanal
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈdɛkənəl/
- Specialized
- In the laboratory, the chemist noted the strong citrus odor of decanal when it was synthesized.
Examples
-
The perfume contained decanal, giving it a fresh, citrus-like scent.
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Many flavorings are made with decanal to enhance the taste of various foods.
-
She had decanal permission to enroll in just two courses, and she chose Sociology (where she obtained a B) and my course in Child Psychology.
Academic text (2003)
How Scented
Surface Forms
Morphology
decanal = decane (opaque) = decan + al
This is a specialized chemical formation from the technical term 'decane', so an average B1 learner would not reliably infer the meaning from the parts.
Etymology
The word decanal comes from the prefix deca- meaning 'ten', like in decade, and the chemical ending -al meaning 'aldehyde', so the name literally points to a chemical with a chain of ten carbon atoms. That's why decanal is a ten-carbon aldehyde known for a fresh, citrus-like smell used in perfumes and flavorings.