Chem. [f. Gr. στίλβειν to glitter + -ENE.] A hydrocarbon produced by the action of heated lead oxide on toluene, and in various other ways: used in dye-stuffs. So Stilbin [see -IN] in the same sense.
1868. Watts, Dict. Chem., V. 431. Stilbene. Ibid., 432. Stilbin. Syn. with Stilbene.
1891. J. E. Marsh, trans. van ’t Hoff’s Chem. Space, 107. The attempts of Aronstein and Holleman to obtain two isomeric stilbenes.
