mercaptan
noun
mer·cap·tan (ˌ)mər-ˈkap-ˌtan 
: thiol sense 1
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Ethyl mercaptan, the stuff added to natural gas to make gas leaks easier to detect, has an odor detection threshold of just 1 or 2 micrograms per cubic meter. 
Randall Munroe, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2020 The leaks go undetected because few of the wells in the U.S. add mercaptan, a chemical that causes the distinct odor most associate with natural gas. Larry Buhl, The New Republic, 8 July 2019 The former contains cynarin, a component that can make wine taste metallic, and the latter contains mercaptans, which can make a wine smell funky. Lettie Teague, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2018 Vestal said the smell was consistent with mercaptan, the chemical that gives natural gas its pungent odor. Benjy Egel, sacbee, 15 Dec. 2017 Two key factors helped highlight the Aliso Canyon leak: One, the gas was stored at the end of the supply chain and contained mercaptans, the odorous additives used to make leak detection easier in homes. National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2016 Most could pick up the smell of methyl mercaptan, a sulfur compound released as our guts digest the vegetable. Thomas Goetz, WIRED, 17 Nov. 2007 See More
Randall Munroe, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2020 The leaks go undetected because few of the wells in the U.S. add mercaptan, a chemical that causes the distinct odor most associate with natural gas. Larry Buhl, The New Republic, 8 July 2019 The former contains cynarin, a component that can make wine taste metallic, and the latter contains mercaptans, which can make a wine smell funky. Lettie Teague, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2018 Vestal said the smell was consistent with mercaptan, the chemical that gives natural gas its pungent odor. Benjy Egel, sacbee, 15 Dec. 2017 Two key factors helped highlight the Aliso Canyon leak: One, the gas was stored at the end of the supply chain and contained mercaptans, the odorous additives used to make leak detection easier in homes. National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2016 Most could pick up the smell of methyl mercaptan, a sulfur compound released as our guts digest the vegetable. Thomas Goetz, WIRED, 17 Nov. 2007 See More Word History
Etymology
German, from Danish, from Medieval Latin mercurium captans, literally, seizing mercury
First Known Use
1835, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
mercaptan
noun
mer·cap·tan (ˌ)mər-ˈkap-ˌtan
: thiol sense 1