/ben zal"deuh huyd'/ , n. Chem.
a colorless or yellowish, water-soluble, volatile oil, C 7 H 6 O, having a bitter, almondlike odor, used chiefly in the organic synthesis of dyes, perfumes, and flavors, and as a solvent; artificial oil of bitter almond. Also called benzoic aldehyde .
[ 1865-70; ]