ethane

[ eth-eyn ]

/ ˈɛθ eɪn /

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.

Nearby words

ethambutol, ethamine, ethan, ethan frome, ethanal, ethane, ethanedioic acid, ethanediol, ethanethiol, ethanim, ethanoic acid

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

Add another of carbon and two more of hydrogen and you get the second "Ethane."
The Romance of War Inventions|Thomas W. Corbin
All we need trouble about, however, is the first two, Methane and Ethane.
The Romance of War Inventions|Thomas W. Corbin
Ethane, (C2H6), a hydrocarbon belonging to the paraffin series.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia|Various
We have pictured to ourselves the molecule of methane: let us do the same with ethane.
The Romance of War Inventions|Thomas W. Corbin

We derived this substance from ethane by introducing a methyl group; hence it may be termed “methylethane.”
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1|Various

British Dictionary definitions for ethane

ethane

/ (ˈiːθeɪn, ˈɛθ-) /

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

Science definitions for ethane

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.