an·i·line / ˈanl-ən/ • n. Chem. a colorless oily liquid, C₆H₅NH₂, present in coal tar. It is used in the manufacture of dyes, drugs, and plastics.ORIGIN: mid 19th cent.: from anil ‘indigo,'’ ultimately from Arabic an-nīl (from Sanskrit nīlī, from nīla ‘dark blue’).

aniline (phenylamine) Highly poisonous, colourless oily liquid (C₆H₅NH₂) made by the reduction of nitrobenzene. It is an important starting material for making organic compounds such as drugs, explosives, and dyes. Properties: r.d. 1.02; m.p. −6.2°C (20.8°F); b.p. 184.1°C (363.4°F). See also amine

aniline chemical base, the source of many dyes. XIX. — G. anilin, f. anil indigo (whence orig. obtained) — F. or Pg. — Arab. an-nīl, i.e. AL-2, Arab.-Pers. nīl (cf. LILAC); see -INE5.

aniline (an-il-een) n. an oily compound obtained from coal tar and widely used in the preparation of dyes.