Ethylene - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Ethylene is a colorless, flammable gas with a sweet odor, used in agriculture to ripen fruits and in industry to produce plastics and chemicals. It is a key plant hormone.
Definition:
A flammable hydrocarbon gas used in industry and plant hormone promoting ripening.
Synonyms:
ethene, olefiant gas, C₂H₄
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
(No direct antonyms; context-dependent)
Common Collocations:
ethylene production, ethylene gas, ethylene glycol, ethylene oxide
Derivatives:
ethylenic, ethylenation
Usage Tips:
Use "ethylene" for industrial chemistry or botany contexts; avoid confusion with similar terms like "ethane."
Common Phrases:
ethylene ripening, ethylene synthesis, ethylene cracker
Etymology:
Derived from "ethyl" (from German) + "-ene," indicating its unsaturated hydrocarbon structure.
Examples:
- 1. The fruit was exposed to ethylene to speed up ripening.
- 2. Ethylene is a key raw material in plastic manufacturing.
- 3. Plants naturally produce ethylene as a growth regulator.
- 4. The lab stored ethylene gas in secure containers.