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. [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.

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

methyl, n. Chem. the univalent hydrocarbon radical CH3, present in many organic compounds.

Idiom

methyl alcohol = METHANOL. methyl benzene = TOLUENE.

Derivative

methylic adj.

Etymology

G Methyl or F m{eacute}thyle, back-form. f. G Methylen, F m{eacute}thyl{egrave}ne: see METHYLENE

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