aliphatic
[ al-uh-fat-ik ]
/ ˌæl əˈfæt ɪk /
adjective Chemistry.
pertaining to nonaromatic hydrocarbon compounds in which the constituent carbon atoms can be straight-chain, branched chain, or cyclic, as in alicyclic compounds; saturated, as in the paraffins; or unsaturated, as in the olefins and alkynes.
Origin of aliphatic
Words nearby aliphatic
alinasal,
aline,
alinotum,
alioth,
aliped,
aliphatic,
aliphatic acids,
alipterion,
aliquant,
aliquippa,
aliquot
Example sentences from the Web for aliphatic
British Dictionary definitions for aliphatic
aliphatic
/ (ˌælɪˈfætɪk) /
adjective
(of an organic compound) not aromatic, esp having an open chain structure, such as alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes
Word Origin for aliphatic
C19: from Greek
aleiphat-, aleiphar oil
Medical definitions for aliphatic
aliphatic
[ ăl′ə-făt′ĭk ]
adj.
Of, relating to, or being a group of organic chemical compounds in which the carbon atoms are linked in open chains.
Scientific definitions for aliphatic
aliphatic
[ ăl′ə-făt′ĭk ]
Relating to organic compounds whose carbon atoms are linked in open chains, either straight or branched, rather than containing a benzene ring. Alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes are aliphatic compounds. Compare aromatic.