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

Peltier said that continued exposure to ethylene oxide “is only going to amplify the risk” of a breast cancer recurrence.

From ProPublica

Inside, BASF workers mix the ethylene oxide with an alcohol and a catalyst, “cook” the batch for hours at a high temperature and cool it off.

From ProPublica

The EPA mentioned ethylene oxide, but it seemed like an afterthought, Heck said.

From ProPublica

The state agency carried out its own assessment on ethylene oxide, a chemical that contributes to the estimated cancer risk in this hot spot, and has concluded that it is less risky than the EPA says it is.

From ProPublica

These rooms are then pumped with ethylene gas — the same gas emitted from fruit as they begin to ripen — to begin a uniformed ripening process.

From Eater

The prototypes are built from a recyclable flat foam-rubber called ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

From The Daily Beast

“There are similarities between propylene glycol and ethylene glycol, the anti-freeze used in automobiles,” Dale said.

From The Daily Beast

Such a solution is an absorbent of carbon monoxide; it also absorbs ethylene and acetylene.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter, known as ethylene-selenourea, may be classified also in the azole group as 2-iminotetrahydroselenazole (V).

From Project Gutenberg

A similar relation holds good between marsh gas and olefiant gas (ethylene).

From Project Gutenberg

This process consisted in blowing gaseous ethylene into liquid sulphur monochloride in large iron reaction vessels.

From Project Gutenberg

Ethylene burns with a bright luminous flame, and forms a very explosive mixture with oxygen.

From Project Gutenberg