ˈan(t)thrəˌsēn, ˈaan- noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary anthrac- + -ene
: a crystalline tricyclic hydrocarbon C 6 H 4 (CH) 2 C 6 H 4 that is white with violet fluorescence when pure and is obtained in the last stages of the distillation of coal tar and used especially in coatings (as for absorbing ultraviolet light) and as a luminescent material (as in scintillation counters) — see anthraquinone ; compare structural formula