mercaptan

[ mer-kap-tan ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any of a class of sulfur-containing compounds having the type formula RSH, in which R represents a radical, and having an extremely offensive, garlicky odor.

mercaptan

/ mɜːˈkæptæn /

noun

1. See thiol
   another name (not in technical usage) for thiol

mercaptan

/ mər-kăp′tăn′ /

1. See thiol

Word History and Origins

Origin of mercaptan¹

1825–35; < Latin, short for phrase corpus mercurium captāns body capturing quicksilver

Word History and Origins

Origin of mercaptan¹

C19: from German, from Medieval Latin mercurium captans, literally: seizing quicksilver

Example Sentences

"And butyl mercaptan; I'm quite aware of that," said the Doctor quickly, to continue the tradition of omniscience.

From Project Gutenberg

True, it smelled like an ancient Earth-animal called skunk—butyl mercaptan.

From Project Gutenberg

We tried cayenne pepper and n-butyl mercaptan—the main ingredient in "polecat essence."

From Project Gutenberg

The stuff smelled like a mixture of spirits of ammonia and butyl mercaptan, but it did the job.

From Project Gutenberg