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aliphatic
[ al-uh-fat-ik ]
/ ˌæl əˈfæt ɪk /
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adjective Chemistry.
pertaining to nonaromatic hydrocarbon compounds in which the constituent carbon atoms can be straight-chain, branched chain, or cyclic, as in alicyclic compounds; saturated, as in the paraffins; or unsaturated, as in the olefins and alkynes.
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Origin of aliphatic
Words nearby aliphatic
aline, alinotum, Alioth, Ali Pasha, aliped, aliphatic, aliphatic acids, alipterion, aliquant, Aliquippa, aliquot
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use aliphatic in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for aliphatic
aliphatic
/ (ˌælɪˈfætɪk) /
adjective
(of an organic compound) not aromatic, esp having an open chain structure, such as alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes
Word Origin for aliphatic
C19: from Greek aleiphat-, aleiphar oil
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
Medical definitions for aliphatic
aliphatic
[ ăl′ə-făt′ĭk ]
adj.
Of, relating to, or being a group of organic chemical compounds in which the carbon atoms are linked in open chains.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for aliphatic
aliphatic
[ ăl′ə-făt′ĭk ]
Relating to organic compounds whose carbon atoms are linked in open chains, either straight or branched, rather than containing a benzene ring. Alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes are aliphatic compounds. Compare aromatic.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.