Defn: A light, colorless, gaseous, inflammable hydrocarbon, CH4; marsh gas. See Marsh gas, under Gas. Methane series (Chem.), a series of saturated hydrocarbons, of which methane is the first member and type, and (because of their general chemical inertness and indifference) called also the paraffin (little affinity) series. The lightest members are gases, as methane, ethane; intermediate members are liquids, as hexane, heptane, etc. (found in benzine, kerosene, etc.); while the highest members are white, waxy, or fatty solids, as paraffin proper.
METHANOMETER
Meth`a*nom"e*ter, n. [Methane + -meter.]
Defn: An instrument, resembling a eudiometer, to detect the presence and amount of methane, as in coal mines.
METHEGLIN
Me*theg"lin, n. Etym: [W. meddyglyn; medd mead + llyn liquor, juice.
See Mead a drink.]
Defn: A fermented beverage made of honey and water; mead. Gay.
METHENE
Meth"ene, n. Etym: [Methyl + ethylene.] (Chem.)
Defn: See Methylene.
METHENYL
Meth"e*nyl, n. Etym: [Methene + -yl.] (Chem.)
Defn: The hypothetical hydrocarbon radical CH, regarded as an essential residue of certain organic compounds.
METHIDE
Meth"ide ( or ), n. Etym: [See Methyl.] (Chem.)