Word Study
alkane
CIDE DICTIONARY
alkane, n.
a non-aromatic saturated acyclic hydrocarbon with the general formula CnH(2n+2) . A member of the alkane series. [WordNet 1.5]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
alkane, n. Chem. any of a series of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having the general formula CnH2n+2, including methane, ethane, and propane.
Etymology
ALKYL + -ANE(2)
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