octane

[ ok-teyn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Chemistry.

any of 18 isomeric saturated hydrocarbons having the formula C 8 H 1 8 , some of which are obtained in the distillation and cracking of petroleum.
octane number.

octane

/ ˈɒkteɪn /

a liquid alkane hydrocarbon found in petroleum and existing in 18 isomeric forms, esp the isomer n -octane. Formula: C 8 H 18 See also isooctane

octane

/ ŏk′tān′ /

Any of several hydrocarbons having eight carbon atoms connected by single bonds. It is commonly added to gasoline to prevent knocking from uneven burning of fuel in internal-combustion engines. Octane is the eighth member of the alkane series. Chemical formula: C 8 H 18 .

Discover More

Origin of octane¹

First recorded in 1870–75; oct- + -ane

Discover More

Simply increasing the octane rating of aviation fuel from 87 to 100 gave the Allies a crucial edge.

Louise Carey’s debut “Inscape” is a high octane, cyberpunk-flavored adventure.

Cumming, 56, who is bisexual and married to the illustrator Grant Shaffer, is Whitman on octane.

Paterson—the father of recent Governor David Paterson—was a high-octane lawyer who held a number of appointive positions.

This episode illuminates the omnipresent peril the current president faces in having such a high-profile, high-octane frenemy.

The tight battle reflects the high-octane energy among GOP voters.

Most of those who died were in trailers next to the isomerization unit, which boosts octane in gasoline, when it blew up.

For his role in the frustration of Obamacare, this Lieberman became the object of high-octane contempt.

A sigh of relief spilled from his lips when he saw that he still had enough high octane for thirty-five minutes of flying.

Lastly, it was doomed by the advent of high octane gasolines, first used while it was still in the development stage.

Less than 10 years later octane ratings had increased to over 100, putting the diesel at a further disadvantage.

Suffice it to say that it is a high octane preparation, only a drop of whichbut you know the effects of Moon Glow, of course.

Browse