Methane

Methane
Methane Meth"ane, 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]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Methane — Methane …   Wikipedia

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  • MÉTHANE — Formule brute: CH4 Masse moléculaire: 16,04 g Masse spécifique: 0,716 8 g/l Point d’ébullition: 161,5 0C Point de fusion: 184 0C Le méthane est un hydrocarbure saturé, le plus simple des alcanes. C’est un gaz incolore, d’odeur légèrement alliacée …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • methane — inflammable colorless and odorless gas, marsh gas, 1867, coined from METHYL (Cf. methyl) + chemical suffix ANE (Cf. ane) …   Etymology dictionary

  • methane — ► NOUN ▪ a colourless, odourless flammable gas which is the main constituent of natural gas. ORIGIN from METHYL(Cf. ↑methyl) …   English terms dictionary

  • methane — [meth′ān΄] n. [ METH(YL) + ANE] a colorless, odorless, flammable, gaseous alkane, CH4, present in natural gas and formed by the decomposition of vegetable matter, as in marshes and mines, or produced artificially by heating carbon monoxide and… …   English World dictionary

  • methane — /meth ayn/; Brit. /mee thayn/, n. Chem. a colorless, odorless, flammable gas, CH4, the main constituent of marsh gas and the firedamp of coal mines, obtained commercially from natural gas: the first member of the methane, or alkane, series of… …   Universalium

  • methane — /ˈmiθeɪn / (say meethayn) noun a colourless, odourless, flammable gas, CH4, the simplest alkane, the main constituent of marsh gas and the firedamp of coal mines, and obtained commercially from natural gas; the first member of the methane or… …  

  • methane — noun /ˈmɛθɛɪn,ˈmiːθeɪn,ˈmɛθeɪn/ a) The simplest aliphatic hydrocarbon, CH, being a constituent of natural gas. Cattle emit a large amount of methane. b) Any of very many derivatives of methane. Syn: methyl hydride, car …   Wiktionary

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