aliphatic, a. Chem.
(ælɪˈfætɪk)
[f. Gr. ἀλειϕατ-, ἄλειϕαρ unguent, fat + -ic.]
Fatty; epithet of organic compounds having an open-chain structure.
| 1889 M'Gowan tr. Bernthsen's Org. Chem. vi. 146 The saturated alcohols yielding the saturated monobasic fatty acids, or ‘acids of the aliphatic series’ as they are termed. 1895 F. P. Möller Cod-liver Oil & Chem. 7 The aliphatic series. Ibid. 83 The aliphatic hydrocarbons. 1958 Sci. News XLIX. 44 In general, dimethyl silicone fluids are readily soluble in aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. |