triptane

[ trip-teyn ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless liquid, C 7 H 17 , having high antiknock properties as a fuel: used chiefly as an admixture to airplane gasolines.

triptane

/ ˈtrɪpteɪn /

noun

1. a colourless highly flammable liquid alkane hydrocarbon, isomeric with heptane, used in aviation fuel; 2,2,3-trimethylbutane. Formula: CH 3 C(CH 3 ) 2 CH(CH 3 )CH 3

Word History and Origins

Origin of triptane¹

1940–45; tri(methyl) b(u)tane (with p for b before t ). See tri-, methyl

Word History and Origins

Origin of triptane¹

C20: shortened and altered from trimethylbutane ; see tri- , methyl , butane

Example Sentences

General Motors' Charles F. Kettering reported that his laboratories had developed a method for commercial production of a new gasoline, triptane, potentially four times as powerful as 100-octane.

From Time Magazine Archive