methylate

[meth-uh-leyt]

noun

1. Also called methoxide. any derivative of methyl alcohol, as sodium methylate, CH 3 ONa.

2. any compound containing the methyl group.

verb (used with object)

methylated, methylating 

1. (in a compound) to replace (one or more hydrogen atoms) with the methyl group.

2. to mix with methyl alcohol, as in the denaturation of ethyl alcohol.

methylate

/ ˈmɛθɪˌleɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to mix with methanol

2. to undergo or cause to undergo a chemical reaction in which a methyl group is introduced into a molecule

noun

1. another name for methoxide

methylate

1. An organic compound having the general formula CH ₃ OR, in which R is a metal. Methylates are formed by replacing the hydrogen of the hydroxyl group (OH) of methyl alcohol with a metal.

1. To combine with the methyl radical.

Other Word Forms

• methylation noun
• methylator noun
• unmethylated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of methylate¹

First recorded in 1825–35; methyl- + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The petitioners told court that they obtained the list of the goods carried onboard the ship through a right to information law and the cargo included nitric acid, caustic soda, sodium methylate, plastic, lubricant oil, quick lime, sodium methodoxide, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, methanol, bright yellow sulphur, urea, and cosmetics.

Read more on Seattle Times

Does TGM2 have a role in the function of the enzymes that methylate H3K4, such as MLL1?

Read more on Nature

Why does SETD3 methylate actin, but not other proteins?

Read more on Nature

Yeast Nop2 and Rcm1 methylate C2870 and C2278 of the 25S rRNA, respectively.

Read more on Nature

The tiny amounts that the ADA and FDA claims are harmless cause great harm to children and adults with common genetic variants who do not methylate - clear metals and toxins - well.

Read more on New York Times