ethylene
eth·yl·ene
noun \ˈe-thə-ˌlēn\Definition of ETHYLENE
1
: a colorless flammable gaseous unsaturated hydrocarbon C2H4 that is found in coal gas, can be produced by pyrolysis of petroleum hydrocarbons, and occurs in plants functioning especially as a natural growth regulator that promotes the ripening of fruit
2
: a divalent hydrocarbon group C2H4 derived from ethane
— eth·yl·enic \ˌe-thə-ˈlē-nik, -ˈle-nik\ adjective
First Known Use of ETHYLENE
circa 1852
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