ˈstīˌrēn also ˈstiˌr- noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary styr- (from Latin styrax ) + -ene
1.
a. : a fragrant mobile liquid unsaturated hydrocarbon C 6 H 5 CH = CH 2 that is obtained by the distillation of storax or the decomposition of cinnamic acid or more often from ethylbenzene either by catalytic dehydrogenation or by oxidation to acetophenone followed by partial reduction and dehydration, that polymerizes in the presence of air or peroxides to yield polystyrene, and that is used chiefly in making synthetic rubber, resins, and plastics and in improving drying oils — called also phenylethylene, vinylbenzene ; see GR-S
b. : polystyrene
c. : styrene plastic
2. : a bivalent radical −CH(C 6 H 5 )CH 2 − derived from styrene by breaking of the double bond — called also phenylethylene