ˈzanˌthōn noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary xanth- + -one
: a crystalline ketone C 6 H 4 (CO)(O)C 6 H 4 that is the parent of several natural yellow pigments (as gentisin), that is usually obtained by distilling phenyl salicylate, and that gives a yellow solution with pale blue fluorescence in sulfuric acid; xanthen-9-one