amyl

1 of 2

noun

am·​yl ˈa-məl 

: any of various isomeric alkyl radicals C₅H₁₁− derived from pentane

amyl-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or amylo-

: starch

amyloplast

Examples of amyl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Humans have also been found as able as dogs and rabbits at smelling the main odorant in bananas (amyl acetate), and are more sensitive to mice than at least one component odor of human blood. —Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian, 22 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin amylum + English -yl

Combining form

Latin amylum, from Greek amylon, from neuter of amylos unmilled (of grain), from a- + mylē mill — more at meal

First Known Use

Noun

1847, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing amyl

• amyl acetate
• amyl alcohol
• amyl nitrate
• amyl nitrite

Medical Definition

amyl

noun

am·​yl ˈam-əl 

: a univalent hydrocarbon radical C₅H₁₁ that occurs in various isomeric forms and is derived from pentane

called also pentyl