Ethanol

Origin

Contracted from ethyl + alcohol. Ethyl is from Ancient Greek αἰθήρ (aithēr, "ether"), influenced by German Äthyl.

Full definition of ethanol

Noun

1. (organic compound) A simple aliphatic alcohol formally derived from ethane by replacing one hydrogen atom with a hydroxyl group: CH₃-CH₂-OH.
2. Specifically, this alcohol as a fuel.
• 2010 January 26, Ted Strickland, Ohio State of the State Address, 05:25–39:In 2007, not one drop of ethanol was produced in Ohio. Today, four ethanol facilities in Ohio are producing two hundred and ninety-five million gallons annually.

Synonyms

• (simple aliphatic alcohol) alcohol, ethyl alcohol, E1510 when used as a food additive

Derived terms

• bioethanol