eicosane

noun

ei·​co·​sane

ˈīkəˌsān

plural -s

: any of the isomeric hydrocarbons C₂₀H₄₂ of the methane series

especially : normal eicosane CH₃(CH₂)₁₈CH₃ obtained as a colorless solid from paraffin wax

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary eicosa- + -ane

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