ALIPHATIC

aliphatic

(adjective) having carbon atoms linked in open chains

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

aliphatic (not comparable)

(organic chemistry) Of a class of organic compounds in which the carbon atoms are arranged in an open chain.

Noun

aliphatic (plural aliphatics)

A compound of this type.

(chiefly, in the plural) A petroleum fraction containing no aromatic compounds

Source: Wiktionary

Al`i*phat"ic, a. [Gr. , , oil, fat.] (Org. Chem.)

Definition: Of, pertaining to, or derived from, fat; fatty; -- applied to compounds having an openc-hain structure. The aliphatic compounds thus include not only the fatty acids and other derivatives of the paraffin hydrocarbons, but also unsaturated compounds, as the ethylene and acetylene series.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition