stearoptene
(stiːəˈrɒptiːn)
Also -en, -ine.
[ad. mod.L. type stearoptēnum (Herberger 18..), f. Gr. στέαρ solid fat (cf. stearin) + πτηνό-ς winged (taken to represent ‘volatile’). Cf. F. stéaroptène.
Both this and the parallel elæoptene are bad formations, and do not express the intended meaning.]
The solid crystalline component of a volatile oil, in contradistinction to the liquid part or elæoptene; a camphor.
| 1836 Penny Cycl. VI. 204 Camphor is the stearopten, or one of the principles arising from the separation of the volatile oil of [etc.]. 1846 Lindley Veg. Kingd. 537 The Camphor of commerce..is a kind of Stearoptine. 1887 Bentley Man. Bot. (ed. 5) 642 The stearoptene called menthol..is said to be derived from Mentha arvensis. |