ethylene

[ eth-uh-leen ]

adjective

1. containing the ethylene group.

noun

1. Also called ethene, olefiant gas. a colorless, flammable gas, C 2 H 4 , having a sweet, unpleasant odor and taste, the first member of the ethylene series, usually obtained from petroleum and natural gas: used as an agent to improve the color of citrus fruits, in the synthesis of polyethylene, ethylene dibromide, ethylene oxide, and other organic compounds, and in medicine chiefly as an inhalation anesthetic.

ethylene

/ ˈɛθɪˌliːn; ˌɛθɪˈliːnɪk /

noun

1. a colourless flammable gaseous alkene with a sweet odour, obtained from petroleum and natural gas and used in the manufacture of polythene and many other chemicals. Formula: CH 2 :CH 2 Also calledethene

ethylene

/ ĕth′ə-lēn′ /

1. A colorless, flammable gas that occurs naturally in certain plants and can be obtained from petroleum and natural gas. As a plant hormone, it ripens and colors fruit, and it is manufactured for use in agriculture to speed these processes. It is also used as a fuel and in making plastics. Ethylene is the simplest alkene, consisting of two carbon atoms joined by a double bond and each attached to two hydrogen atoms. Also called ethene. Chemical formula: C 2 H 4 .

Derived Forms

• ethylenic, adjective

Other Words From

• eth·yl·e·nic [eth-, uh, -, lee, -nik, -, len, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ethylene¹

First recorded in 1850–55; ethyl + -ene

Example Sentences

Polyolefins are produced by combining small chain links, or monomers, of ethylene or propylene, which are typically obtained from oil and natural gas.

From Los Angeles Times

Like peaches or pears, pawpaws produce ethylene, a hormone that causes the fruit to soften and brown.

From Salon

Jiao's tandem CO2 electrolysis produces acetate and ethylene.

From Science Daily

But Singh said this too could have environmental and economic benefits, such as producing pure carbon dioxide to carbonate beverages or converting it into ethylene and other chemicals used in plastic manufacturing.

From Science Daily

Don't store potatoes and onions together: onions produce a gas called ethylene that makes potatoes spoil quicker, while the high moisture in potatoes spoils onions.

From Salon