cetane

 
Pronunciation: /ˈsiːteɪn/

noun

[mass noun] Chemistry
  • a colourless liquid hydrocarbon of the alkane series, present in petroleum spirit.
    • Chemical formula: C16H34

Origin:

late 19th century: from Latin cetus 'whale', from Greek kētos (because related compounds were first derived from spermaceti) + -ane2