/si'treuh nel"al, -euhl/ , n.
a colorless, slightly water-soluble liquid mixture of isometric aldehydes having the formula C 10 H 18 O, with a strong lemonlike odor, occurring in many essential oils, usually derived from lemon, citronella oil, and other oils: used chiefly as a flavoring agent and in the manufacture of perfume.
[ 1890-95; CITRONELL(A) + -AL 3 ]