ethylene

n. olefiant gas, first member of the alkene series (Chemistry)

Ethylene (or IUPAC name ethene) is the chemical compound with the formula C2H4. It is the simplest alkene. Because it contains a double bond, ethylene is called an unsaturated hydrocarbon or an olefin. It is extremely important in industry and even has a role in biology as a hormone. Ethylene is the most produced organic compound in the world; global production of ethylene exceeded 75 million metric tonnes per year in 2005.
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Ethylene /eth·y·lene/ a colorless flammable gas, CH2dbondCH2, with a slightly sweet odor and taste; formerly used as an inhalation anesthetic. [more]Ethylene - Community and Resources

Noun
1. a flammable colorless gaseous alkene; obtained from petroleum and natural gas and used in manufacturing many other chemicals; sometimes used as an anesthetic
(synonym) ethene
(hypernym) alkene, olefine, olefin
(hyponym) trichloroethylene, trichloroethane, TCE

n. ethylene, olefiant gas, first member of the alkene series (Chemistry)