phene

P3H4E1N1E1
/ˈfiːn/

noun

Benzene.

Similar
character
OriginFrench phène ← Ancient Greek φαίνω (phaínō) ← Proto-Hellenic *pʰáňňō →
Scrabble 10
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Meanings

nounphene (usually uncountable, plural phenes)

plural phenes

  1. obsoleteuncountableusuallychemistryBenzene.
  2. uncountableusuallybiologyA genetically determined phenotype.

    This phene has a dominant influence on phosphorus acquisition.

    2011 May 24, Jonathan P. Lynch, “Root Phenes for Enhanced Soil Exploration and Phosphorus Acquisition: Tools for Future Crops”, in Plant Physiology

    Synonyms: character

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA genetically determined phenotype.

Similar
character

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*bʰeh₂-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*bʰh₂nyéti
  3. Proto-Hellenic*pʰáňňō
  4. Ancient Greekφαίνω (phaínō)
  5. Frenchphène
  6. Englishphene

Proposed 1836 by French scientist Auguste Laurent as an alternative name for benzene, from French phène, from Ancient Greek φαίνω (phaínō, “bring to light, cause to appear, show”).

More words from French, Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

phene. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phene

MLA

“phene.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phene. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “phene,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phene.

Source: phene on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.