Methyl

/ˈmɛθɪl/ noun

Definition

a chemical group consisting of one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms (CH₃)

Etymology

from Greek 'methy' (wine) + '-yl' (chemical suffix), coined in 1840s as it was first found in wood alcohol

Kelly Says

Despite its name coming from wine, methyl alcohol is actually toxic to drink - it's the stuff that makes moonshine dangerous when distilled improperly!

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