ˈnafˌthēn, ÷ ˈnapˌ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary naphth- + -ene
: any of a series of saturated cyclic hydrocarbons of the general formula C n H 2 n : cycloparaffin — used especially of those members (as cyclopentane and cyclohexane and their alkyl derivatives) that occur in various kinds of petroleum, in shale, and in tar oil, and that yield useful aromatic hydrocarbons on dehydrogenation