Geneva system

noun

variants or Geneva nomenclature
: a system of nomenclature adopted by an international congress of organic chemists in Geneva in 1892 and later modified and added to by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry resulting in a systemic nomenclature in which names of compounds are formed from those of parent hydrocarbons with use of prefixes and suffixes (as 2-methyl-butane for isopentane, butanone for methyl ethyl ketone, hexanoic acid for caproic acid)

The Ultimate Dicitonary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near Geneva system

Cite this Entry

“Geneva system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Geneva%20system. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!