Word
methanol
US/ˈmɛθəˌnɑɫ/
UK/mˈɛθɐnˌɒl/
Definition
n. a clear, colorless liquid that is similar to alcohol but much more dangerous. It is used to make fuel or in some industrial processes.
n. a simple alcohol with the chemical formula CH3OH, used as a solvent, fuel additive, and in the production of formaldehyde. Highly toxic to humans when ingested or inhaled.
Examples
“Methanol is a common ingredient in industrial solvents.”
“The factory uses methanol to produce formaldehyde, which is then used in the manufacturing of wood products.”
“While methanol is a viable alternative to gasoline in certain engines, its high toxicity requires stringent safety protocols to prevent accidental ingestion or inhalation during production.”
Examples
simple
“Methanol is a common ingredient in industrial solvents.”
contextual
“The factory uses methanol to produce formaldehyde, which is then used in the manufacturing of wood products.”
complex
“While methanol is a viable alternative to gasoline in certain engines, its high toxicity requires stringent safety protocols to prevent accidental ingestion or inhalation during production.”
Etymology
From methane + -ol. French chemists Jean-Baptiste Dumas and Eugene Peligot, after determining methanol's chemical structure, introduced "methylene" from the Ancient Greek μέθυ (méthu, “wine”) + ὕλη (húlē, “wood, material”) with the intention of highlighting its origins, "alcohol made from wood (substance)".
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/methanol