Main Entry: al·i·phat·ic

Pronunciation: \ˌa-lə-ˈfa-tik\

Function: adjective

Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek aleiphat-, aleiphar oil, from aleiphein to smear; perhaps akin to Greek lipos fat — more at leave

Date: 1889

: of, relating to, or being an organic compound (as an alkane) having an open-chain structure — compare alicyclic, aromatic 2