mer·cap·tan (m r-k p tn )n. A sulfur-containing organic compound with the general formula RSH where R is any radical, especially ethyl mercaptan, C2H5SH. Also called thiol. [German, from Danish, from Medieval Latin (corpus) mercurium capt  ns, (a substance) seizing mercury : mercurium, accusative of mercurius, mercury; see mercury + Latin captns, present participle of captre, frequentative of capere, to seize; see capture.] |
mercaptan [mɜːˈkæptæn]
n
(Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) another name (not in technical usage) for thiol
[from German, from Medieval Latin mercurium captans, literally: seizing quicksilver]
| mercaptan (mr-kptn) See thiol. |
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