methylate

[ meth-uh-leyt ]

noun

1. Also called methoxide. any derivative of methyl alcohol, as sodium methylate, CH 3 ONa.
2. any compound containing the methyl group.

verb (used with object)

, meth·yl·at·ed, meth·yl·at·ing.

1. (in a compound) to replace (one or more hydrogen atoms) with the methyl group.
2. to mix with methyl alcohol, as in the denaturation of ethyl alcohol.

methylate

/ ˈmɛθɪˌleɪt /

verb

1. tr to mix with methanol
2. to undergo or cause to undergo a chemical reaction in which a methyl group is introduced into a molecule

noun

1. another name for methoxide

methylate

/ mĕth′ə-lāt′ /

Noun

1. An organic compound having the general formula CH 3 OR, in which R is a metal. Methylates are formed by replacing the hydrogen of the hydroxyl group (OH) of methyl alcohol with a metal.

Verb

1. To combine with the methyl radical.

Derived Forms

• ˌmethylˈation, noun
• ˈmethylˌator, noun

Other Words From

• methyl·ator noun
• un·methyl·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of methylate¹

First recorded in 1825–35; methyl- + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The petitioners told court that they obtained the list of the goods carried onboard the ship through a right to information law and the cargo included nitric acid, caustic soda, sodium methylate, plastic, lubricant oil, quick lime, sodium methodoxide, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, methanol, bright yellow sulphur, urea, and cosmetics.

From Seattle Times

Does TGM2 have a role in the function of the enzymes that methylate H3K4, such as MLL1?

From Nature

Why does SETD3 methylate actin, but not other proteins?

From Nature

Yeast Nop2 and Rcm1 methylate C2870 and C2278 of the 25S rRNA, respectively.

From Nature

The tiny amounts that the ADA and FDA claims are harmless cause great harm to children and adults with common genetic variants who do not methylate - clear metals and toxins - well.

From New York Times