terpen

Noun

terpene (plural terpenes)

1. Any of a very large class of naturally occurring and synthetic organic compounds formally derived from the hydrocarbon isoprene; they include many volatile compounds used in perfume and food flavours, turpentine, the steroids, the carotene pigments and rubber.
   • Naval stores production is based upon exploiting the terpene chemical defense system of the pine tree, which protects against wood-decaying fungi and insect pests such as bark beetles (Dendroctonus Ips sp.). […] Pine oleoresin is a complex mixture of about 30 to 50 different terpene molecules...2007, Shibu Jose, Eric J. Jokela, Deborah L. Miller, editors, The Longleaf Pine Ecosystem: Ecology, Silviculture, and Restoration, Springer Science & Business Media, →ISBN, page 43

Noun (1)

terp (plural terps)

1. (military or Deaf slang) An interpreter (person who translates).
   • I don't think it's at all appropriate to hire a terp to review your correspondences, reports, grammar, tone, style, etc. It is completely YOUR responsibility to perform effective written communication tasks.1994 September 15, Tom Lyczko, “Comments on ASL Interpreter Position Description”, in DEAF-L mailing list, message-ID <Pine.3.89.9409151534.A19989-0100000@gamera.syr.edu>
2. (slang) An interpreter (program that parses and executes another program).
   • So, I'm writing a Z-Machine terp. It is not done. It's getting there. Now, I have some ideas of things I would like this terp to do, but I thought it might be a nice idea to find out if there are any features that other people on this newsgroup would like in a Z-Machine terp.2001 July 23, Fillmore, “Z-Machine terp”, in rec.arts.int-fiction (Usenet), message-ID <6j177.12538$Iz3.3461071@news2-win.server.ntlworld.com>

Noun (2)

terp (plural terps)

1. Any of various essential oils containing monoterpene alcohols which are added to a henna mix to darken the color.

Noun (3)

terp (countable and uncountable, plural terps)

1. (dated, slang) Dance.
   • In the terp section, Barbara Perry, last here in a straight role in Swan Song, scores smartly as a dancer, and lanky Jack Williams holds down the other lead stepping slot with his intricate tap routines. Dancing is overall excellent, but as noted above, there is too much of it.1946 December 14, “Broadway Openings: If the Shoe Fits”, in The Billboard, volume 58, number 50, page 48

Noun (4)

terp (plural terps or terpen)

1. An artificial dwelling mound found on the North European Plain, created to provide safe ground during storm surges, high tides and sea or river flooding.
   • Most Dutch cities began on a terp or artificial mound to which the prehistoric amphibious folk rushed for refuge when floods rolled in.1898, The Outlook, volume 60, page 281

See all 8 meanings of terp