Chem. [f. THYME + -ENE.]
1. A clear oily hydrocarbon, C10H16, of the terpene group, contained in the oil of thyme.
1857. Miller, Elem. Chem., III. 446. Oil of Thyme consists of an oxidized portion, thymole, and of a hydrocarbon, thymene. The latter constitutes the more volatile portion of the oil.
1868. Watts, Dict. Chem., V. 792. Thymene is a colourless oil, having an agreeable odour of thyme.
1900. Gildemeister & Hoffmann, Volatile Oils, 625.
2. Commercially applied to a product of the oil of ajowan, used as a soap perfume.
1900. Gildemeister & Hoffmann, Volatile Oils, 558. The remaining part of the oil [of Ajowan], about one half, consists of hydrocarbons, which are sold in commerce under the name of thymene a mixture of cymene and a terpene boiling at 172°.