polystyrene

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *pleh₁- Proto-Indo-European *polh₁ús Ancient Greek πολῠ́ς (polŭ́s)lbor. English poly- Ancient Greek στύραξ (stúrax)der. Latin styrax French -ènebor. English -ene English styrene English polystyrene From poly- + styrene.

1. A vinylic polymer of styrene, CH₂CHphenyl.

   “It was 30 times lighter and more flexible than the polystyrene that had previously been used.”

   “Gerri (Gemma Arterton): Well, he might not be begging. He might be waiting for somebody. / Tom: Of course he's begging. He's got a polystyrene cup in front of him.”

2. An alkane chain of benzene molecules, RCH₂CHphenylR.