n :  any of three toxic flammable oily isomeric aromatic hydrocarbons C₈H₁₀ that are dimethyl homologues of benzene and are usu. obtained from petroleum or natural gas distillates : also  :  a commercial mixture of xylenes used chiefly as a solvent .
 
 
 
Similar sounding terms:   saline  xy·lan  Z line 
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2004.