ethylene

eth·yl·ene

noun \ˈeth-ə-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, is used in medicine as a general inhalation anesthetic, and occurs in plants functioning especially as a natural growth regulator that promotes the ripening of fruit—called also ethene

2

: a divalent hydrocarbon group C₂H₄ derived from ethane

—eth·yl·enic \ˌeth-ə-ˈlē-nik, -ˈlen-ik\ adjective

—eth·yl·eni·cal·ly \-ˈlē-ni-k(ə-)lē, -ˈlen-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb