pyrene

[ pahy-reen, pahy-reen ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Botany.

a putamen or stone, especially when there are several in a single fruit; a nutlet.

pyrene

[ pahy-reen ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Chemistry.

a polycyclic, aromatic crystalline hydrocarbon, C 1 6 H 1 0 , consisting of four fused benzene rings, found in coal tar and believed to be carcinogenic.

pyrene

/ ˈpaɪriːn /

noun

botany any of several small hard stones that occur in a single fruit and contain a single seed each

pyrene

/ ˈpaɪriːn /

noun

a solid polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon extracted from coal tar. Formula: C 16 H 10

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pyrene¹

1830–40; < New Latin pȳrēna < Greek pȳrḗn fruit stone

Origin of pyrene²

First recorded in 1880–85; pyr- + -ene

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pyrene¹

C19: from New Latin pyrena, from Greek purēn

Origin of pyrene²

C19: from pyro- + -ene

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Example Sentences

Then the pyrene extinguisher fell out, and I had to rescue it from under the nose of a tram.

From Project Gutenberg

We read of a Pyrene, which was a fountain of another nature; yet of the same etymology, however differently expressed.

From Project Gutenberg

I have taken notice, that the name of the mountain Pyrene signified a fountain of fire, and that the mountain had once flamed.

From Project Gutenberg

Farther on the hero came upon another monster in his way, Cycnus, the son of Mars and Pyrene.

From Project Gutenberg

Pyrene, a fountain in Corinth, consecrated also to the Muses.

From Project Gutenberg

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pyre Pyrenean

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