English word methane comes from English methyl, English -ane
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| methyl | English (eng) | (organic compound) The univalent hydrocarbon radical, CH3, formally derived from methane by the loss of a hydrogen atom; a compound or part of a compound formed by the attachment of such a radical. |
| -ane | English (eng) | (chemistry) A simple binary compound of hydrogen and a nonmetal or metalloid.. (organic chemistry) A saturated hydrocarbon; an alkane.. Variant of -an, usually with differentiation (germane, humane, urbane), but sometimes alone (mundane). |
| methane | English (eng) | (organic chemistry, countable) Any of very many derivatives of methane.. (organic compound, uncountable) The simplest aliphatic hydrocarbon, CH4, being a constituent of natural gas. |