ethane

[eth-eyn]

noun Chemistry.

a colorless, odorless, flammable gas, C2H6, of the methane series, present in natural gas, illuminating gas, and crude petroleum: used chiefly in organic synthesis and as a fuel gas.

Origin of ethane

First recorded in 1870–75; eth(yl) + -ane

Also called dimethyl.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ethane

Historical Examples of ethane

All we need trouble about, however, is the first two, Methane and Ethane.
The Romance of War Inventions
Thomas W. Corbin
We have pictured to ourselves the molecule of methane: let us do the same with ethane.
The Romance of War Inventions
Thomas W. Corbin
Ethane, (C2H6), a hydrocarbon belonging to the paraffin series.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia
Various
Acetylene combines with hydrogen in the presence of platinum black, and ethylene and then ethane result.
Acetylene, The Principles Of Its Generation And Use
F. H. Leeds
Add another of carbon and two more of hydrogen and you get the second "Ethane."
The Romance of War Inventions
Thomas W. Corbin

British Dictionary definitions for ethane

ethane

noun

a colourless odourless flammable gaseous alkane obtained from natural gas and petroleum: used as a fuel and in the manufacture of organic chemicals. Formula: C 2 H 6

Word Origin for ethane

C19: from eth (yl) + -ane

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

Word Origin and History for ethane

1873, from ethyl + -ane, the appropriate suffix under Hofmann's system.

ethane in Science

ethane

[ĕth′ān′]

A colorless, odorless, flammable gas occurring in natural gas. It is used as a fuel and in refrigeration. Ethane is the second member of the alkane series. Chemical formula: C2H6.