This week’s theme
Words from science

This week’s words
radioactive
broad-spectrum
high-octane
viral
critical mass

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(hy-AWK-tayn)

MEANING:

adjective:
1. High-energy; powerful; dynamic.
2. In relation to engine fuels, having a high octane number resulting in anti-knock properties and higher efficiency.

ETYMOLOGY:

Octane number is a measure of anti-knock properties of a fuel used in engines. A high octane number indicates greater resistance to engine knocking. The term octane refers to hydrocarbons with eight carbon atoms. Earliest documented use: 1931.

USAGE:

“Mr. [Arthur] Hayes’s high-octane lifestyle certainly comes closest to that of the fictional British spy.”
Ride to Freedom; The Economist (London, UK); Dec 18, 2021.

See more usage examples of high-octane in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: