Anisaldehyde

/ænɪsælˈdɪhaɪd/ noun

Definition

A chemical compound with a strong, pleasant anise-like smell, derived from anisole and used in perfumes, flavorings, and pharmaceuticals.

Etymology

Compound of 'anisal' (anise-related) + 'aldehyde' (a type of organic compound containing a specific chemical group). Synthesized and named during the 19th century rise of organic chemistry.

Kelly Says

Anisaldehyde smells so good that scientists use it to test and train animals' sense of smell, and it's also a clue drug companies use to detect bad bacteria in labs!

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.