The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Metaxylene \Met`a*xy"lene\, n. [Pref. meta- + xylene.] (Chem.)
That variety of xylene, or dimethyl benzene, in which the two
methyl groups occupy the meta position with reference to each
other. It is a colorless inflammable liquid.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Xylene \Xy"lene\, n. [Gr. xy`lon wood.] (Chem.)
Any of a group of three metameric hydrocarbons of the
aromatic series, found in coal and wood tar, and so named
because found in crude wood spirit. They are colorless, oily,
inflammable liquids, C6H4.(CH3)2, being dimethyl benzenes,
and are called respectively orthoxylene, metaxylene, and
paraxylene. Called also xylol.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Each of these xylenes is the nucleus and prototype of a
distinct series of compounds.
[1913 Webster]