methyl

n. [ See Methylene. ] (Chem.) A univalent 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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Methyl alcohol (Chem.), a light, volatile, inflammable liquid, CH3.OH, obtained by the distillation of wood, and hence called wood alcohol or wood spirit; tecnically referred to as methanol; -- 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 or dimethyl ether. --
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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Methylene + alcohol. ] (Chem.) A light, volatile liquid, H2C(OCH3)2, regarded as a complex ether, and having a pleasant ethereal odor. It is obtained by the partial oxidation of methyl alcohol. Called also formal. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) See Methyl amine, under Methyl. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To impregnate or mix with methyl or methyl alcohol. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Methyl + alcoholate. ] (Chem.) An alcoholate of methyl alcohol in which the hydroxyl hydrogen is replaced by a metal, after the analogy of a hydrate; as, sodium methylate, CH3ONa. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Chem.) Impregnated with, or containing, methyl alcohol or wood spirit; as, methylated spirits. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. méthylène, from Gr. &unr_; wine + &unr_; wood; -- a word coined to correspond to the name wood spirit. ] (Chem.) A divalent hydrocarbon radical, -CH2-, not known in the free state, but regarded as an essential residue and component of certain derivatives of methane; as, methylene bromide, CH2Br2; -- formerly called also methene. [ 1913 Webster ]

Methylene blue (Chem.), an artificial dyestuff consisting of a complex sulphur derivative of diphenyl amine; -- called also pure blue. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a drug designed to have the effects of amphetamines but to avoid the drug laws, but now a controlled substance. Called also MDMA.
Syn. -- MDMA, Adam, ecstasy. [ WordNet 1.5 ]