The volatile, liquid portion of an essential oil that readily evaporates at room temperature, as opposed to the solid stearoptene.
From Greek 'elaion' (oil) and 'ptene' (wing or feather), metaphorically describing compounds light enough to 'fly away' as vapor.
Perfumers have known for centuries that the 'top notes' of a fragrance come from elaeoptene—the fleeting molecules that escape first, creating that initial scent impression!
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