diethylene glycol

American

[dahy-eth-uh-leen glahy-kawl, ‐kol] / daɪˈɛθ əˌlin ˈglaɪ kɔl, ‐kɒl /

noun

Chemistry.

a syrupy colorless liquid, C 4 H 10 O 3 , used as a solvent for nitrocellulose and as a fabric softener.

diethylene glycol British

/ daɪˈɛθɪˌliːn ˈɡlaɪkɒl /

noun

a colourless soluble, poisonous liquid used as a solvent. Formula: (C 2 H 4 OH) 2 O

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of diethylene glycol

First recorded in 1925–30; di- ¹ + ethylene

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Since then, there have been "mass poisoning events" in several Indian states, they say, adding that the death tolls may be much higher as diethylene glycol poisoning is hard to diagnose.

From BBC • Sep. 3, 2023

The WHO said that the tested samples of Guaifenesin TG syrup, made by Punjab-based QP Pharmachem Ltd, showed "unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol".

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2023

The WHO in October said that lab analysis confirmed "unacceptable" amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol in the medicines made by Maiden, which can be toxic and lead to acute kidney injury.

From Reuters • Dec. 20, 2022

Somani, said that tests on samples of Maiden Pharma's products "have been found to be complying with specifications" and showed the samples were not contaminated with ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol.

From Reuters • Dec. 15, 2022

The Indian-made syrups exported to Gambia were also found to have high amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.

From New York Times • Nov. 3, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023