(of an organic compound) not aromatic, esp having an open chain structure, such as alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes
Word origin
C19: from Greek aleiphat-, aleiphar oil
aliphatic in American English
(ˌæləˈfætɪk)
adjective
1.
pertaining to a fat or oil
2.
of or relating to a major group of organic compounds, structured in open chains, including alkanes (paraffins),alkenes (olefins), and alkynes (acetylenes)