acetylene

American  

[uh-set-l-een, -in] / əˈsɛt lˌin, -ɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless gas, C 2 H 2 , having an etherlike odor, produced usually by the action of water on calcium carbide or by pyrolysis of natural gas: used especially in metal cutting and welding, as an illuminant, and in organic synthesis.

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acetylene British  

/ əˌsɛtɪˈlɛnɪk, əˈsɛtɪˌliːn /

noun

1. Systematic name: ethyne.  a colourless flammable gas used in the manufacture of organic chemicals and in cutting and welding metals. Formula: C 2 H 2

2. 1. another name for alkyne

   2. ( as modifier )

      acetylene series

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acetylene Scientific  

/ ə-sĕt′l-ēn′,-ən /

1. A colorless, highly flammable or explosive gas with a characteristic sweet odor. It is used in welding torches and in the manufacture of organic chemicals such as vinyl chloride. Acetylene is the simplest alkyne, consisting of two carbon atoms joined by a triple bond and each attached to a single hydrogen atom. Also called ethyne. Chemical formula: C ₂ H ₂ .

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Other Word Forms

• acetylenic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of acetylene

First recorded in 1860–65; acetyl + -ene

Example Sentences

Acetylene and the other alkynes also burn readily.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Acetylene gas, C2H2, and solid calcium hydroxide were formed by the reaction of calcium carbide, CaC2, with water.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

His work depicted stages in the construction of an aircraft and included pieces called Making the Engine and Acetylene Welder - all good, morale-boosting stuff.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2014

Acetylene torches next cut through a layer of steel.

From Time Magazine Archive

The toxic action of the impurities of crude acetylene is discussed in Chapter V. Acetylene is an "endothermic" compound, as has been mentioned in Chapter II., where the meaning of the expression endothermic is explained.

From Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use A Practical Handbook on the Production, Purification, and Subsequent Treatment of Acetylene for the Development of Light, Heat, and Power by Leeds, F. H. (Frank Henley)