methylene

American  

[meth-uh-leen] / ˈmɛθ əˌlin /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. containing the methylene group.

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methylene British  

/ ˈmɛθɪˌliːn /

noun

1. (modifier) of, consisting of, or containing the divalent group of atoms =CH 2

   a methylene group or radical

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methylene Scientific  

/ mĕth′ə-lēn′ /

1. A bivalent hydrocarbon radical, CH ₂. Because it has two unshared electrons, it is extremely reactive and occurs only as an intermediate byproduct in chemical reactions. Methylene is a component of unsaturated hydrocarbons.

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Etymology

Origin of methylene

< French méthylène (coined in 1834), equivalent to Greek méth ( y ) wine ( see mead ¹) + hýl ( ē ) wood + French -ène -ene, taken to mean “wood-spirits” ( vin ou liqueur spiritueuse du bois ), though elements of the compound are in the wrong order to give this sense

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

methylene

Increased supply of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate from new plants of other companies is also near-term concern.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

After producers decaffeinate coffee beans using methylene chloride, they steam the beans and dry them.

From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2024

While the EPA banned one consumer use of methylene chloride in 2019, use of the chemical has remained widespread and continues to pose significant and sometimes fatal danger to workers, the agency said.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 30, 2024

Wendy Hartley, whose son Kevin died from methylene chloride poisoning after refinishing a bathtub at work, called the new rule “a huge step that will protect vulnerable workers.”

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 30, 2024

It consists in fixing the dry preparation for 20 minutes in osmic acid vapour, and staining in a concentrated watery solution of methylene blue.

From Histology of the Blood Normal and Pathological by W. Myers

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