— naphthenic /naf thee"nik, -then"ik, nap-/ , adj.
/naf"theen, nap"-/ , n. Chem.
any of a group of hydrocarbon ring compounds of the general formula, C n H 2n , derivatives of cyclopentane and cyclohexane, found in certain petroleums.
[ 1840-50; NAPHTH- + -ENE ]