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.

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Also called dimethyl.

Origin of ethane

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

Words nearby ethane

ethambutol, ethamine, ethan, ethan frome, ethanal, ethane, ethanedioic acid, ethanediol, ethanethiol, ethanim, ethanoic acid
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for ethane

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

Scientific 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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.