octane
19
5.8
- noun
- /ˈɑkˌteɪn/
- Specialized
:
octano
- You know, think high octane jet fuel in a Model T Ford.
- high-octane
- octane gasoline
The simple fact that we're still operating on fuels like, you know, gasoline and whatever else they're using, octane.
- The simple fact that we're still operating on fuels like, you know, gasoline and whatever else they're using, octane.
Examples
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Fifty-four gallons of 100 octane low-lead, please.
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You should switch to a higher-octane gas, that's why...
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Would have made more if it was high octane.
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Surrounded by high-octane fuel in here.
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His face was flushed with all that good, clean, high-octane blood that is the result of honest American exertion.
Fiction book (1995) -
They blend in pure grain alcohol into avgas to raise its octane for the aircraft.
-
A place to stop for uncomplicated coffee, condoms, and high-octane fuel.
Fiction book (1999) -
Higher ethanol percentages yield a lower Octane rating and lower mileage per gallon.
Blog text (10) -
We're at the Buzzard's Bay championships of the high-octane International 14s, one of the toughest classes in all of sailing.
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The higher a fuel's octane rating, the less likely it is to ignite from pressure alone.
Compounds
- Specialized
1
4.6
A number that shows how well car fuel stops the knocking sound in an engine
Surface Forms
Morphology
octane = oct (semi-transparent) = oct + ane
Formed from the combining form 'oct' (eight) plus the chemical suffix '-ane'; the pieces are clear in technical chemistry contexts but are not independent everyday words for typical learners.
Etymology
The word octane comes from oct- 'eight' because its molecules have eight carbon atoms, and the ending -ane 'a simple hydrocarbon ending' is the same as in butane and propane. So, octane means an 'eight-carbon' fuel, which is why its number helps show how good gasoline is.