̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ˌtēn noun
( -s )
Etymology: French asphaltène, from asphalte asphalt + -ène -ene
: any of the components of a bitumen (as asphalt) that are soluble in carbon disulfide but not in paraffin naphtha and that are held to constitute the solid dispersed particles of the bitumen and to consist chiefly of high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons — compare carbene