[W/K] :: Ethylene

  Ethylene \Eth"yl*ene\ ([e^]th"[i^]l*[=e]n), n. [From Ethyl.]
     (Chem.)
     A colorless, gaseous hydrocarbon, C2H4, forming an
     important ingredient of illuminating gas, and also obtained
     by the action of concentrated sulphuric acid in alcohol. It
     is an unsaturated compound and combines directly with
     chlorine and bromine to form oily liquids (Dutch liquid), --
     hence called olefiant gas. Called also ethene, elayl,
     and formerly, bicarbureted hydrogen.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Ethylene series (Chem.), the series of unsaturated
        hydrocarbons of which ethylene is the type, and
        represented by the general formula CnH2n.
        [1913 Webster]

  ethylene
       n : a flammable colorless gaseous alkene; obtained from
           petroleum and natural gas and used in manufacturing many
           other chemicals; sometimes used as an anesthetic [syn: ethene]