a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid, CHOCHOCH, that smells like chloroform: it is produced by the incomplete oxidation of methanol and is used as a solvent and in perfumes, organic synthesis, etc.
See methylal in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(mĕthˈə-lălˌ)
noun
A colorless flammable liquid, CH3OCH2OCH3, used as a solvent and in the manufacture of perfumes, adhesives, and protective coatings.