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methane

|meth/ane|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˈmɛθeɪn/

🇬🇧

/ˈmiːθeɪn/

simple hydrocarbon gas

Etymology
Etymology Information

'methane' originates from the Greek word 'methy,' meaning 'wine,' due to its presence in marsh gas.

Historical Evolution

'methane' evolved from the French word 'méthane,' which was derived from the Greek 'methy.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred to 'marsh gas,' but now it is known as a primary component of natural gas.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a colorless, odorless flammable gas that is the simplest member of the alkane series of hydrocarbons.

Methane is a major component of natural gas.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45