melam Chem.
(ˈmɛlæm)
[Named in 1834 by Liebig (Ann. d. Pharmacie X. 12); he declines to give an etymology, preferring that the word should be regarded as an arbitrary coinage; for the ending -am cf. melamine.]
A buff-coloured, insoluble amorphous substance obtained by the distillation of sulphocyanide of ammonium.
| 1835 Rec. Gen. Sci. I. 185. 1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 772. 1889 Muir & Morley Watts' Dict. Chem. II. 323 Melam, C6H9N11.—Crude melam is obtained by the action of heat on ammonium thiocyanide. |