Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
tetraethyl

tetraethyl

9.9
Having four small chemical parts called ethyl groups attached to a molecule
  • adjective
  • /ˌtɛtrəˈɛθɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : tetraetilo
  • The researcher synthesized a new compound containing tetraethyl groups to improve its efficacy.

Examples

  • The chemist explained how tetraethyl groups affect the reactivity of the compound.

  • In the lab, we experimented with tetraethyl compounds to study their properties.

  • And there he poured tetraethyl lead onto his hands, and he inhaled it for a full minute.

Compounds

lead tetraethyl
  • Archaic
9.9

A clear oily poisonous liquid once added to gasoline to reduce engine knocking

tetraethyl lead
  • Archaic
9.4

A clear oily poison once added to petrol or gasoline to stop engine knocking

Surface Forms

tetraethyl positive

Morphology

tetraethyl = ethyl (transparent) = tetra + ethyl

Standard chemical combining form 'tetra-' (four) attached to the chemical group 'ethyl' yields the literal meaning 'containing four ethyl groups'.

Etymology

Tetraethyl joins tetra- meaning 'four' and ethyl, the name of a common chemical part you meet in 'ethyl alcohol'. So tetraethyl means 'containing four ethyl groups'.