alk-

prefix

Used to form classification names for classes of organic compounds which contain a carbon skeleton but no aromatic rings. See e.g. alkyl, alkane.

OriginEnglish alcohol ← Middle English alcofol ← Medieval Latin alcoho →
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Meanings

prefix
  1. chemistryUsed to form classification names for classes of organic compounds which contain a carbon skeleton but no aromatic rings. See e.g. alkyl, alkane.

Origin

  1. Akkadian𒎎𒋆𒁉𒍣𒁕 (guḫlum)
  2. Aramaicכוחלא (kuḥlā)
  3. Arabicكُحْل (kuḥl)
  4. Andalusian Arabicكُحُول (kuḥūl)
  5. Medieval Latinalcoho
  6. Middle Englishalcofol
  7. Englishalcohol
  8. Englishalk-

First syllable of alcohol.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

German alk-
  • alk-Translations
Korean 알ㅋ
  • 알ㅋ (alk)Translations
Cite this entry
APA

alk-. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/alk-

MLA

“alk-.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/alk-. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “alk-,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/alk-.

Source: alk- on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.