amyl

¹

[ am-il, ey-mil ]

adjective

1. containing an amyl group; pentyl.

noun

1. an amyl group.

amyl-

²

1. variant of amylo-, especially before a vowel.

amyl

/ ˈæmɪl /

noun

1. See pentyl
   modifier, no longer in technical usage of, consisting of, or containing any of eight isomeric forms of the monovalent group C 5 H 11 - See also pentyl

   amyl group or radical

amyl

/ ăm′əl /

1. The radical C 5 H 11 , derived from pentane. Amyl occurs in eight isomeric forms.
2. Also called pentyl

Word History and Origins

Origin of amyl¹

1840–50; < Greek ám ( ylon ) starch ( amylo- ) + -yl, with haplology of am ( yl ) -yl

Word History and Origins

Origin of amyl¹

C19: from Latin: amylum

Example Sentences

With the president surrounded by “a fast Hollywood crowd,” someone offered him amyl nitrite, or “poppers.”

From The Daily Beast

The clear distillate had a peculiar odor suggesting both tea and amyl formate.

From Project Gutenberg

The distillate, in every case, had an ethereal odor suggesting amyl formate in very dilute solution, but was more fragrant.

From Project Gutenberg

Amyl, am′il, n. the fifth in the series of the alcohol radicals, a natural product of the distillation of coal.

From Project Gutenberg

In such patients I should be disinclined to allow the use of amyl.

From Project Gutenberg

Caffein aids the action of nitrates, acetanilid, ethyl alcohol and amyl alcohol, and increases the toxicity of barium chloride.

From Project Gutenberg