märˈkȯvnəˌkȯf- noun
Usage: usually capitalized M
Etymology: after Vladimir V. Markovnikov died 1904 Russ. chemist
: a statement in chemistry: in the addition of compounds to olefins the negative portion of the compound added (as the bromine in hydrogen bromide) becomes attached to the least hydrogenated end of the carbon-carbon double bond (as in the addition of hydrogen bromide to propylene: CH 3 CH . CH 2 +HBr → CH 3 CHBrCH 3 )