also naph·tha·line N0014200 (năf′thə-lēn′, năp′-) or naph·tha·lin(-lĭn)n. A white crystalline aromatic compound, C10H8, derived from coal tar or petroleum and used in manufacturing dyes, moth repellents, and explosives and as a solvent. Also called tar camphor.[naphth(a) + al(cohol) + -ene.]naph′tha·len′ic(-lĕn′ĭk) adj.EncyclopediaSeenaphthalene