dimethyl

[ dahy-meth-uhl ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. ethane.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dimethyl¹

First recorded in 1865–70; di- ¹ + methyl

Example Sentences

"What was icing on the cake, in terms of the search for life, is that last year these researchers reported a tentative detection of dimethyl sulfide, or DMS, in the atmosphere of that planet, which is produced by ocean phytoplankton on Earth," Tsai said.

From Science Daily

They suggested that the planet might have water oceans covering its surface, and hinted at tantalizing detections of dimethyl sulfide, a compound that, on Earth, comes from phytoplankton and other living organisms.

From Scientific American

Never mind that the presence of dimethyl sulfide was reported with low confidence and needed further validation.

From Scientific American

As part of their metabolism, many of these sunlight-consuming organisms release a compound called dimethyl sulfide, which rises and reacts with gases in the atmosphere to form small aerosol particles—and, eventually, clouds.

From Scientific American

South of 60 degrees latitude, abundant phytoplankton generate plenty of dimethyl sulfide seeds—so clouds that form there are full of tiny water droplets.

From Scientific American