ketene

noun

ke·tene | \ ˈkē-ˌtēn

How to pronounce ketene (audio)

\

Definition of ketene

: a colorless poisonous gas C₂H₂O of penetrating odor used especially as an acetylating agent also : any of various derivatives of this compound

History and Etymology for ketene

borrowed from German Keten, from Keton ketone + -en -ene

Note: The term was introduced by Hermann staudinger in "Ketene, eine neue Körperklasse," Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft, 83. Jahrgang (1905), Band II, p. 1735.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about ketene

Dictionary Entries near ketene

Statistics for ketene

Cite this Entry

“Ketene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ketene. Accessed 9 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for ketene

ketene

noun

ke·tene | \ ˈkē-ˌtēn

\

Medical Definition of ketene

: a colorless poisonous gas C₂H₂O of penetrating odor used especially as an acetylating agent also : any of various derivatives of this compound

WORD OF THE DAY

luminary

Listen to the pronunciation of luminary

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Who Knew?

What is a ruelle?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Spell words. Make bears.

TAKE THE QUIZ