naphthalene

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naph·tha·lene / ˈnaf[unvoicedth]əˌlēn; ˈnap-/ • n. Chem. a volatile white crystalline compound, C10H8, produced by the distillation of coal tar, used in mothballs and as a raw material for chemical manufacture.DERIVATIVES: naph·thal·ic / nafˈ[unvoicedth]alik; nap-/ adj.

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