The Collaborative International Dictionary
Alcohol \Al"co*hol\ ([a^]l"k[-o]*h[o^]l), n. [Cf. F. alcool, formerly written alcohol, Sp. alcohol alcohol, antimony, galena, OSp. alcofol; all fr. Ar. al-kohl a powder of antimony or galena, to paint the eyebrows with. The name was afterwards applied, on account of the fineness of this powder, to highly rectified spirits, a signification unknown in Arabia. The Sp. word has both meanings. Cf. Alquifou.]
An impalpable powder. [Obs.]
The fluid essence or pure spirit obtained by distillation. [Obs.]
--Boyle.-
Pure spirit of wine; pure or highly rectified spirit (called also ethyl alcohol or ethanol, CH3.CH2.OH); the spirituous or intoxicating element of fermented or distilled liquors, or more loosely a liquid containing it in considerable quantity. It is extracted by simple distillation from various vegetable juices and infusions of a saccharine nature, which have undergone vinous fermentation.
Note: [The ferementation is usually carried out by addition of brewer's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae to an aqueous solution containing carbohydrates.]
Note: As used in the U. S. ``Pharmacop[oe]ia,'' alcohol contains 91 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 9 per cent of water; and diluted alcohol (proof spirit) contains 45.5 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 5
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5 per cent of water.
4. (Organic Chem.) A class of compounds analogous to vinic alcohol in constitution. Chemically speaking, they are hydroxides of certain organic radicals; as, the radical ethyl forms common or ethyl alcohol ( C2H
OH); methyl forms methyl alcohol ( CH3.OH) or wood spirit; amyl forms amyl alcohol ( C5H11.OH) or fusel oil, etc.
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context organic compound English) The compound methanol. 2 wood alcohol.
WordNet
n. a light volatile flammable poisonous liquid alcohol; used as an antifreeze and solvent and fuel and as a denaturant for ethyl alcohol [syn: methanol, wood alcohol, wood spirit]
Usage examples of "methyl alcohol".
Molecules of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, ammonia, water, hydrocyanide, formaldehyde, formic acid, methyl alcohol and a series of carbohydrates have been shown to exist in the universe, as have amino-acids in meteorites and lunar rocks.
The heavy brass brand soaks at the end of a wooden stick in an insulated bucket bubbling with dry ice and methyl alcohol while we wrestle a calf to the sawdust.
He plopped it into a container and poured methyl alcohol over it, working with a glass rod until it was reasonably plastic.
Soldiers clad in white baggy clothes and face masks were pouring methyl alcohol and oil over the bodies.
The only chemical signals on the entire case were the strong contending odors of detergent, methyl alcohol, acetone, and carbon tetrachloride.
The white tile walls gave off a breath of formaldehyde and methyl alcohol.
Two, use solar power to make methyl alcohol from water and air and garbage.