ETHYLENE


Meaning of ETHYLENE in English

n.

Pronunciation: ' e-th ə - ˌ l ē n

Function: noun

Date: circa 1852

1 : a colorless flammable gaseous unsaturated hydrocarbon C 2 H 4 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 C 2 H 4 derived from ethane

– eth · yl · enic \ ˌ e-th ə - ' l ē -nik, - ' le-nik \ adjective

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.