An aldehyde produced artificially or obtained from oil of bitter almond, containing not less than 80% of b.; a flavoring agent used in orally administered medicines. SYN: benzoic aldehyde.
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benz·al·de·hyde ben-'zal-də-.hīd n a colorless nontoxic aromatic liquid C6H5CHO found in essential oils (as in peach kernels) and used in flavoring and perfumery, in pharmaceuticals, and in synthesis of dyes
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ben·zal·de·hyde (ben-zalґdə-hīd) [NF] an aldehyde derivative of benzene, occurring in the kernels of bitter almonds or produced synthetically; used as a pharmaceutical flavoring agent in place of almond oil.Medical dictionary. 2011.