Definition of "methyl"

methyl

/ˈmɛθaɪl/

noun
plural methyls
1. (organic chemistry) The univalent hydrocarbon radical, CH3-, formally derived from methane by the loss of a hydrogen atom; a compound or part of a compound formed by the attachment of such a radical.
  Quotations
  You might point out in the theory of oxidation of oils, in development of rancidity in oils, that many methyls accelerate this oxidation of oils. I do not want to burden you with a lecture on chemistry but there are some methyls like iron which has both a valence of two and of three. Another example is cobalt which has a valence of both two and three.
  1973, Robert E. Cornish, Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies, page 119
  The southern acetates must be decarboxylated to methyls.
  2003, Russell Timkovich, 73: The Family of d-Type Hemes: Tetrapyrroles with Unusual Substituents, Karl M. Kadish, Kevin M. Smith, Roger Guilard (editors), The Porphyrin Handbook, Volume 12: The Iron and Cobalt Pigments: Biosynthesis, Structure and Degradation, page 134
  The most stable form has the groups staggered and the methyls as far from each other as possible (DA[dihedral angle] = 180°).
  2005, Bruce A. Hathaway, Organic Chemistry the Easy Way, page 38