methane

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the simplest hydrocarbon, CH4, a colorless flammable gas that is the principal component of natural gas and a powerful greenhouse gas

   The landfill captures methane and burns it to generate electricity.

Formed in the nineteenth century from meth-, associated with methyl and methanol, + the hydrocarbon suffix -ane. The meth- element ultimately reflects Greek methy, 'wine,' and hyle, 'wood,' because methanol was once obtained from wood distillation.

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