*ethan*

n. (Chem.) A colorless gas, CH3Cl, of a sweet odor, easily condensed to a liquid; -- called also methyl chloride. [ 1913 Webster ]

prop. a. Pertaining to Queen Elizabeth I. or her times, esp. to the architecture or literature of her reign; as, the Elizabethan writers, drama, literature. -- n. One who lived in England in the time of Queen Elizabeth. Lowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Ether. ] (Chem.) A gaseous hydrocarbon, C2H6, forming a constituent of ordinary illuminating gas. It is the second member of the paraffin series, and its most important derivatives are common alcohol (ethyl alcohol), acetaldehyde, ether, and acetic acid. Called also dimethyl. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) The organic compound C2H5.OH, the common alcohol which is the intoxicating agent in beer, wine, and other fermented and distilled liquors; called also ethyl alcohol. It is used pure or denatured as a solvent or in medicines and colognes and cleaning solutions, or mixed in gasoline as a fuel for automobiles, and as a rocket fuel (as in the V-2 rocket).
Syn. -- ethyl alcohol, fermentation alcohol, grain alcohol. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Malamic + ethane. ] (Chem.) A white crystalline substance forming the ethyl salt of malamic acid. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A thermosetting plastic formed by the reaction of melamine and formaldehyde. It is used for molding and for preparing laminated sheets used to surface counter tops, walls, and furniture. The commercially marketed Formica (TM) is one type of melamine resin. [ PJC ]

n. (Chem.) Same as formaldehyde. [ PJC ]

n. [ See Methal. ] (Chem.) A light, colorless, gaseous, inflammable hydrocarbon, CH4; marsh gas. It is the simplest of the aliphatic hydrocarbons. See Marsh gas, under Gas. [ 1913 Webster ]

Methane series (Chem.), a series of saturated hydrocarbons, of which methane is the first member and type, and (because of their general chemical inertness and indifference) called also the paraffin (little affinity) series. The lightest members are gases, as methane, ethane; intermediate members are liquids, as hexane, heptane, etc. (found in benzine, kerosene, etc.); while the highest members are white, waxy, or fatty solids, as paraffin proper. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A type of archaebacteria found in anaerobic environments such as animal intestinal tracts or sediments or sewage, and capable of producing methane; a source of natural gas. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. (Chem.) The simplest alcohol of the paraffin series, CH3.OH; methyl alcohol. Called also wood alcohol. It is used as an antifreeze solvent, as a fuel, and as a denaturant for ethyl alcohol.
Syn. -- methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood spirit. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. [ Methane + -meter. ] An instrument, resembling a eudiometer, to detect the presence and amount of methane, as in coal mines. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Nitro- + methane. ] (Chem.) A nitro derivative of methane (CH3.NO2), obtained as a mobile liquid; -- called also nitrocarbol. It has been used as a rocket fuel and as a gasoline additive to add power to the fuel, especially in racing cars. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a progestin compound used in oral contraceptives and to treat endometriosis. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Oxamic + ethyl. ] (Chem.) Ethyl oxamate, obtained as a white scaly crystalline powder. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) any polymer containing [ -NH.CO.O- ] linkages; such polymers are much used as the basis of light but rigid foams for packaging (
polyurethane foam) and for hard coatings, as on floors. [ PJC ]