nitromethane

[ nahy-truh-meth-eyn ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, oily, slightly water-soluble, poisonous liquid, CH 3 NO 2 , used chiefly as a solvent, rocket fuel, and gasoline additive and in organic synthesis.

nitromethane

/ ˌnaɪtrəʊˈmiːθeɪn /

noun

1. an oily colourless liquid obtained from methane and used as a solvent and rocket fuel and in the manufacture of synthetic resins. Formula: CH 3 NO 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of nitromethane¹

First recorded in 1870–75; nitro- + methane