English dictionary
mercaptan
/m/[@]/r'k/&/pt/@/n/
Definitions, examples, synonyms and antonyms from WordNet 3.0.
noun
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Any one of series of compounds, hydrosulphides of alcohol radicals, in composition resembling the alcohols, but containing sulphur in place of oxygen, and hence called also the <i>sulphur alcohols</i>. In general, they are colorless liquids having a strong, repulsive, garlic odor. The name is specifically applied to ethyl mercaptan, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>SH. So called from its avidity for <i>mercury</i>, and other metals.
Source: webster1913