octane

[ ok-teyn ]

nounChemistry.
  1. any of 18 isomeric saturated hydrocarbons having the formula C8H18, some of which are obtained in the distillation and cracking of petroleum.

Origin of octane

1
First recorded in 1870–75; oct- + -ane

Words Nearby octane

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British Dictionary definitions for octane

octane

/ (ˈɒkteɪn) /


noun
  1. a liquid alkane hydrocarbon found in petroleum and existing in 18 isomeric forms, esp the isomer n -octane. Formula: C 8 H 18: See also isooctane

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for octane

octane

[ ŏktān′ ]


  1. Any of several hydrocarbons having eight carbon atoms connected by single bonds. It is commonly added to gasoline to prevent knocking from uneven burning of fuel in internal-combustion engines. Octane is the eighth member of the alkane series. Chemical formula: C8H18.

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