methyl

[ meth-uhl ]

adjectiveChemistry.
  1. containing the methyl group. Abbreviation: Me

Origin of methyl

1
First recorded in 1835–45; by back formation from methylene

Other words from methyl

  • me·thyl·ic [me-thil-ik, muh-], /mɛˈθɪl ɪk, mə-/, adjective

Other definitions for methyl- (2 of 2)

methyl-

  1. a combining form occurring in the names of chemical compounds in which the methyl group is present: methylamine.

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How to use methyl in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for methyl

methyl

/ (ˈmiːθaɪl, ˈmɛθɪl) /


noun
  1. (modifier) of, consisting of, or containing the monovalent group of atoms CH 3

  2. an organometallic compound in which methyl groups are bound directly to a metal atom

Origin of methyl

1
C19: from French méthyle, back formation from methylene

Derived forms of methyl

  • methylic (məˈθɪlɪk), adjective

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 methyl

methyl

[ mĕthəl ]


  1. The radical CH3, derived from methane.

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