Chem. [f. L. cumīnum CUMIN + -ENE.] A hydrocarbon, C9 H12, found in Roman cumin oil: it is a colorless strongly refracting oil, allied to Benzene. So Cumic (kiū·mik) a., of or derived from cumin, as in Cumic acid C10 H12 O2, cumic aldehyde, etc. Cumidine, a base homologous with toluidine, formed by the action of ammonium sulphide on nitrocumene. Cuminic a., of or derived from cumene; = cumic. Cumole = cumene. Cumyl, the acid organic radical, C10 H11 O, of Cumic acid, homologous with Benzoyl; hence cu·mylami:de, cu·mylene, cumy·lic, cu·mylide, etc.
1863–72. Watts, Dict. Chem., II. 173. Cumene. Cumol. Hydride of Cumenyl. Ibid., 174. Cumene is insoluble in water. Ibid. (1873), Fownes’ Chem., 818. Cumic Acid is produced by oxidation of cuminol or cumic aldehyde, one of the constituents of oil of cumin.
1850. Daubeny, Atom. Th., viii. (ed. 2), 243. A substance called cumidine, lately discovered by Mr. Nicholson in the oil of caraways.
1847. Turner, Elem. Chem., 1077. The addition of an acid causes the cuminic acid to separate.
1863–72. Watts, Dict. Chem., II. 178. Cuminic acid … is produced by the oxidation of the oxygenated oil (hydride of cumyl) contained in essence of cumin. Ibid., II. 182. Cumyl in the free state, or Cumylide of Cumyl … is an oily liquid, heavier than water. Ibid. (1873), Fownes’ Chem., 791. Cymyl Alcohol is also called Cumylic Alcohol.
