ethanol

UK: ˈɛθənɒl | US: ˈɛθəˌnɑːl

Definition

  1. n. A colorless volatile flammable liquid (C₂H₅OH), used as a solvent, fuel, and in alcoholic beverages.

Structure
eth <ethyl (organic chemistry prefix)>an <ane (hydrocarbon suffix)>ol <alcohol (chemical suffix)>
Etymology

The word "ethanol" is a modern scientific term derived from systematic chemical nomenclature.

  • "Eth-" comes from "ethyl," referring to the two-carbon chain (C₂H₅) in its structure, rooted in the German "Äther" (ether).
  • "-ane" is a suffix for saturated hydrocarbons (here shortened to "-an" in "ethanol").
  • "-ol" denotes the presence of a hydroxyl (-OH) group, characteristic of alcohols.
    The term reflects the logical naming conventions of organic chemistry, combining molecular structure descriptors.
Examples

  1. Ethanol is commonly used as a biofuel additive in gasoline.

  2. The lab technician purified the ethanol by distillation.

  3. Fermentation of sugars produces ethanol and carbon dioxide.

  4. Ethanol-based hand sanitizers became essential during the pandemic.

  5. The chemical formula for ethanol is C₂H₅OH.