ethanol
|eth-a-nol|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈɛθəˌnɔl/
🇬🇧
/ˈɛθənɒl/
intoxicating alcohol
Etymology
Etymology Information
'ethanol' originates from the word 'ethyl,' which is derived from the Greek word 'aithēr,' meaning 'upper air' or 'pure air,' combined with the suffix '-ol,' used in chemistry to denote alcohols.
Historical Evolution
'Ethanol' evolved from the term 'ethyl alcohol,' which was first coined in the 19th century.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to the intoxicating component of alcoholic beverages, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a colorless volatile flammable liquid, C2H5OH, that is the intoxicating agent in liquors and is also used as a solvent and in fuel.
Ethanol is commonly used in hand sanitizers.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42