ketene

[ kee-teen ]

/ ˈki tin /

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noun Chemistry.

a colorless, poisonous gas, C2H2O, irritating to the lungs, prepared from acetone or acetic acid by pyrolysis: used chiefly in the manufacture of certain commercial chemicals, as acetic anhydride and aspirin.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of ketene

First recorded in 1905–10; ket- + -ene

Words nearby ketene

ketch, Ketchikan, ketch-rigged, ketchup, kete, ketene, keto, ketoacidosis, ketoconazole, keto-enol tautomerism, keto form

British Dictionary definitions for ketene

ketene

/ (ˈkiːtiːn, ˈkɛt-) /

noun

a colourless irritating toxic gas used as an acetylating agent in organic synthesis. Formula: CH 2 :COAlso called: ethonone

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