aliphatic
Syllabification: (al·i·phat·ic)
Pronunciation: /ˌaləˈfatik/
Chemistry
Definition of aliphatic
adjective
- relating to or denoting organic compounds in which carbon atoms form open chains (as in the alkanes), not aromatic rings. Compare with alicyclic.
noun
(usually aliphatics)Origin:
late 19th century (originally used of the fatty acids): from Greek aleiphar, aleiphat- 'fat' + -ic