coumarin Chem.
(ˈkuːmərɪn)
[a. F. coumarine, f. coumarou = cumar{uacu}, native name in Guiana of the Tonka bean + -in.]
A crystalline substance (C9H6O2), with aromatic odour, found in the seeds of the cumar{uacu}, coumarou, or Tonka bean; also in melilot, woodruff, sweet-scented vernal grass, etc.
| 1830 Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. 92 The volatile oil of the Coumarouma odorata, or Tonka Bean, has been ascertained to be a peculiar principle called Coumarin. 1882 J. Smith Dict. Econ. Plants 136 It is probable that hay-fever..may be attributed to the coumarin in the atmosphere. |
Hence ˈcoumaric a., in coumaric acid, an acid (C9H8O3) obtained from coumarin; ˈcoumarate, a salt of coumaric acid.
| 1863–72 Watts Dict. Chem. II. 93 Coumaric acid decomposes carbonates. The formula of the coumarates is C9H7O2. M. |