coumarin

noun

cou·​ma·​rin ˈkü-mə-rən How to pronounce coumarin (audio)
: a toxic white crystalline lactone C9H6O2 with an odor of new-mown hay found in plants or made synthetically and used especially in perfumery and as a parent compound in anticoagulant agents
also : a derivative of this compound

Examples of coumarin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This is due to the spice's high concentration of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds like coumarin, cinnamic acid, cinnamaldehyde, and eugenol.19 Cinnamon tea can be made with ground cinnamon or cinnamon sticks. Jillian Kubala, Health, 16 July 2024 Sweet, vanilla-scented coumarin is found in cinnamon. Popular Science, 31 Aug. 2023 Both jars also showed hints of the compounds coumarin and benzoic acid. Popular Science, 31 Aug. 2023 This latest version of the scent reportedly features top notes of lavender and bergamot, middle notes of jasmine, iris, and rose, and base notes of vanilla, sandalwood, coumarin, benzoin, licorice, and patchouli. Marci Robin, Allure, 4 Aug. 2019 Galium odoratum owes its sweet scent to the odiferous agent coumarin. Earl Nickel, SFChronicle.com, 8 June 2018 Cassia can contain relatively high concentrations of coumarin, a plant compound that can damage the liver. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 8 Mar. 2018 Cassia sticks, which look like a thick layer of rolled bark, also contained 18 times more coumarin than Ceylon sticks, which have thin layers. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 8 Mar. 2018 Both cassia cinnamon and Saigon cinnamon contain coumarin, a natural compound that can harm the liver when taken in large amounts. Teresa Graedon, The Seattle Times, 21 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coumarin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French coumarine, from coumarou tonka bean tree, from Spanish or Portuguese; Spanish cumarú, from Portuguese, from Tupi *kumarú, *kumbarú

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coumarin was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near coumarin

Cite this Entry

“Coumarin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coumarin. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

coumarin

noun
cou·​ma·​rin ˈkü-mə-rən How to pronounce coumarin (audio)
: a toxic white crystalline lactone C9H6O2 with an odor of new-mown hay found in plants or made synthetically and used especially in perfumery and as the parent compound in various anticoagulant agents (as warfarin)
also : a derivative of this compound

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