/al'euh fat"ik/ , adj. Chem.
pertaining to nonaromatic hydrocarbon compounds in which the constituent carbon atoms can be straight-chain, branched chain, or cyclic, as in alicyclic compounds; saturated, as in the paraffins; or unsaturated, as in the olefins and alkynes.
[ 1885-90; aleiphat- (s. of áleiphar oil, fat) + -IC ]