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ethylene definition

☆ ethyl·ene (et̸h′əl ēn′)

noun

a colorless, flammable, gaseous alkene, HC:CH, obtained by the cracking of natural or coal gas, by the dehydration of alcohol, etc.: it is the simplest alkene and is used to synthesize organic chemicals, esp. polyethylene, to hasten the ripening of fruits, and as an anesthetic

Etymology: ethyl + -ene

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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