Chem. [f. TEREB(INTH) + -ENE.
† 1. A name given by Soubeiran and Capitaine, 1839 (Comptes Rendus, IX. 654), to a liquid obtained by decomposing artificial camphor, C10H16HCl, with lime. Obs. b. Used by Deville, 1840 (Amn. Chimie, LXXV. 38), for a liquid obtained by the action of sulphuric acid on pinene, now known to be a mixture of terpenes together with cymene: one of the drugs of the British Pharmacopœia; hence attrib., terebene soap, etc.
1898. Brit. Pharmac., 334. Terebenum. Terebene, a mixture of dipentene and other hydrocarbons, obtained by agitating oil of turpentine with successive quantities of sulphuric acid [etc.].
1898. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., V. 37. The inhalation of steam medicated with terebene.
1900. C.S.S.A. Price List, Index. Terebene hair-wash, lozenges, soap.
† 2. Sometimes a synonym of TERPENE. Obs.
1857. Miller, Elem. Chem., III. vii. § 1. 437. These isomeric bodies may be subdivided into two metameric classes; in one of which the molecule is represented by C20H16;… the members of which are termed terebenes or camphogens.
1871. Roscoe, Elem. Chem., 426. Oxidation products of the terebenes.
Hence Terebenic a., in terebenic acid, synonym of TEREBIC acid: see quot. 1868 s.v.
