cetane number
noun
a measure of the ignition quality of a diesel engine fuel by comparison with various mixtures in which the alpha form of methylnaphthalene is given a standard value of 0 and cetane is given a standard value of 100.
Also called
cetane rating.
Origin of cetane number
First recorded in 1930–35
Words nearby cetane number
cet. par.,
ceta,
cetacean,
cetaceum,
cetane,
cetane number,
cetatea albă,
cete,
ceteris paribus,
cetin,
cetinje
British Dictionary definitions for cetane number
cetane number
noun
a measure of the quality of a diesel fuel expressed as the percentage of cetane in a mixture of cetane and 1-methylnapthalene of the same quality as the given fuel
Also called: cetane rating Compare octane number