ethylene Definition

a colorless flammable gaseous unsaturated hydrocarbon C2H4 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

a divalent hydrocarbon group C2H4 derived from ethane

a colorless toxic liquid compound C2H4Br2 that is used chiefly as a fuel additive in leaded gasolines, that has been found to be strongly carcinogenic in laboratory animals, and that was used formerly in the U.S. as an agricultural pesticide —abbreviation EDB

a thick liquid diol C2H6O2 used especially as an antifreeze and in making polyester fibers

a colorless flammable toxic compound C2H4O used especially in synthesis (as of ethylene glycol) and in sterilization and fumigation