terpenoid

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US/ˈtɝpənɔɪd/

noun

Any of a very large class of naturally occurring and synthetic organic compounds formally derived from the hydrocarbon isoprene; they include many volatile compounds used in perfume and food flavors, turpentine, the steroids, the carotene pigments and rubber.

OriginAncient Greek εἶδος (eîdos) ← Proto-Hellenic *wéidos ← Proto-Indo-European *wéydos →
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Meanings

nounterpenoid (plural terpenoids)

plural terpenoids

  1. chemistryAny of a very large class of naturally occurring and synthetic organic compounds formally derived from the hydrocarbon isoprene; they include many volatile compounds used in perfume and food flavors, turpentine, the steroids, the carotene pigments and rubber.

Origin

  1. Englishterpene
  2. Proto-Indo-European*weyd-
  3. Proto-Indo-European*wéydos
  4. Proto-Hellenic*wéidos
  5. Ancient Greekεἶδος (eîdos)
  6. Englishterpenoid

From terpene + -oid.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

terpenoid. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/terpenoid

MLA

“terpenoid.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/terpenoid. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “terpenoid,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/terpenoid.

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