Definition

A chemical substance derived from coal tar that has a strong, unpleasant smell. It is used to make dyes and synthetic materials.

Example

Acridine is often used in the production of various dyes and pharmaceuticals.

Conversation

I read about this substance called acridine the other day.

Oh really? What does it do?

It's actually used in making dyes and has a pretty strong smell.

That sounds interesting! I wonder how they handle that odor in factories.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Acridine is derived from "acrid" (from Latin "acer", meaning sharp or bitter) and the suffix "-ine" (used to form names of chemical substances). The word "acridine" refers to a chemical compound that is sharp or bitter in nature, often associated with its pungent properties.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sharp' or 'bitter' ('acrid') to remember that 'acridine' refers to a chemical compound with a sharp or pungent quality.

Visually Confused Words