ethyl

[ eth-uhl ]
/ ˈɛθ əl /

adjective

Chemistry. containing the ethyl group, as ethyl ether, C4H10O.

noun

a type of antiknock fluid, containing tetraethyl lead and other ingredients for a more even combustion.

QUIZZES

DON’T VACILLATE! VANQUISH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

It’d be a real faux pas to miss this quiz on the words from August 3–9, 2020!
Question 1 of 7
What does “vacillate” mean?
to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.
to cause to be empty or unoccupied.
to assent tacitly; agree; consent.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of ethyl

From German Ethyl, coined by J. von Liebig in 1834;see ether, -yl

OTHER WORDS FROM ethyl

non·eth·yl, noun

Words nearby ethyl

ethosuximide, ethoxide, ethoxy, ethoxyethane, ethrog, ethyl, ethyl acetate, ethyl alcohol, ethylamine, ethyl aminobenzoate, ethylate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for ethyl

British Dictionary definitions for ethyl

ethyl
/ (ˈiːθaɪl, ˈɛθɪl) /

noun

(modifier) of, consisting of, or containing the monovalent group C 2 H 5-ethyl group or radical

Derived forms of ethyl

ethylic (ɪˈθɪlɪk), adjective

Word Origin for ethyl

C19: from eth (er) + -yl
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 ethyl

ethyl
[ ĕth′əl ]

n.

The univalent hydrocarbon radical C2H5.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for ethyl

ethyl
[ ĕth′əl ]

The radical C2H5, derived from ethane.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.