urethane

[ yoor-uh-theyn ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any derivative of carbamic acid having the formula CH 2 NO 2 R.
2. Also called ethyl carbamate, ethyl urethane. a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, C 3 H 7 NO 2 : used chiefly as a solvent, in organic synthesis, as a fungicide and pesticide, and formerly in cancer treatment.

urethane

/ ˈjʊərɪˌθeɪn; ˈjʊərɪˌθæn /

noun

1. short for polyurethane
2. another name for ethyl carbamate

urethane

/ yr′ĭ-thān′ /

1. A colorless or white crystalline compound used in organic synthesis. Formerly it was also used to relieve symptoms associated with leukemia. Also called ethyl carbamate. Chemical formula: C 3 H 7 NO 2 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of urethane¹

< French uréthane (1833); urea, ethane

Word History and Origins

Origin of urethane¹

C19: from uro- ¹+ ethyl + -ane

Example Sentences

Twenty coats of urethane took forty days—a day to coat and a day to dry.

From Project Gutenberg