octadecane

noun

oc·​ta·​dec·​ane

ˌäktəˈdeˌkān

: any of numerous isomeric hydrocarbons C₁₈H₃₈ of the paraffin series

especially : the crystalline normal hydrocarbon CH₃(CH₂)₁₆CH₃

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary octadec- (from octa- + deca-) + -ane

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