A carbon with three hydrogens attached and attached to something else with the fourth available covalent bond. Often written as -CH3. For example, methane is simply a methyl group with one additional hydrogen, while methanol has a hydroxyl group in that spot.

Meth"yl (?), n. [See Methylene.] Chem.

A hydrocarbon radical, CH3, not existing alone but regarded as an essential residue of methane, and appearing as a component part of many derivatives; as, methyl alcohol, methyl ether, methyl amine, etc.

[Formerly written also methule, methyle, etc.]

Methyl alcohol Chem., a light, volatile, inflammable liquid, CH3.OH, obtained by the distillation of wood, and hence called wood spirit; -- called also methol, carbinol, etc. -- Methyl amine Chem., a colorless, inflammable, alkaline gas, CH3.NH2, having an ammoniacal, fishy odor. It is produced artificially, and also occurs naturally in herring brine and other fishy products. It is regarded as ammonia in which a third of its hydrogen is replaced by methyl, and is a type of the class of substituted ammonias. -- Methyl ether Chem., a light, volatile ether CH3.O.CH3, obtained by the etherification of methyl alcohol; -- called also methyl oxide. -- Methyl green. Chem. See under Green, n. -- Methyl orange. Chem. See Helianthin. -- Methyl violet Chem., an artificial dye, consisting of certain methyl halogen derivatives of rosaniline.

 

© Webster 1913.