Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Methyl \Meth"yl\, n. [See {Methylene}.] (Chem.)
   A hydrocarbon radical, {CH3}, not existing alone but regarded
   as an essential residue of methane, and appearing as a
   component part of many derivatives; as, methyl alcohol,
   methyl ether, methyl amine, etc. [Formerly written also
   {methule}, {methyle}, etc.]

   {Methyl alcohol} (Chem.), a light, volatile, inflammable
      liquid, {CH3.OH}, obtained by the distillation of wood,
      and hence called {wood spirit}

Alcohol \Al"co*hol\ ([a^]l"k[-o]*h[o^]l), n. [Cf. F. alcool,
   formerly written alcohol, Sp. alcohol alcohol, antimony,
   galena, OSp. alcofol; all fr. Ar. al-kohl a powder of
   antimony or galena, to paint the eyebrows with. The name was
   afterwards applied, on account of the fineness of this
   powder, to highly rectified spirits, a signification unknown
   in Arabia. The Sp. word has both meanings. Cf. {Alquifou}.]
   1. An impalpable powder. [Obs.]

   2. The fluid essence or pure spirit obtained by distillation.
      [Obs.] --Boyle.

   3. Pure spirit of wine; pure or highly rectified spirit
      (called also {ethyl alcohol}); the spirituous or
      intoxicating element of fermented or distilled liquors, or
      more loosely a liquid containing it in considerable
      quantity. It is extracted by simple distillation from
      various vegetable juices and infusions of a saccharine
      nature, which have undergone vinous fermentation.

   Note: As used in the U. S. ``Pharmacop[oe]ia,'' alcohol
         contains 91 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 9
         per cent of water; and diluted alcohol (proof spirit)
         contains 45.5 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and
         54.5 per cent of water.

   4. (Organic Chem.) A class of compounds analogous to vinic
      alcohol in constitution. Chemically speaking, they are
      hydroxides of certain organic radicals; as, the radical
      ethyl forms common or {ethyl alcohol} ({C2H5.OH}); methyl
      forms {methyl alcohol} ({CH3.OH}) or {wood spirit}; amyl
      forms {amyl alcohol} ({C5H11.OH}) or {fusel oil}, etc.

Carbinol \Car"bi*nol\, n. [Carbin (Kolbe's name for the radical)
   + -ol.] (Chem.)
   Methyl alcohol, {CH3OH}; -- also, by extension, any one in
   the homologous series of paraffine alcohols of which methyl
   alcohol is the type.