tetrachloroethylene

[te-truh-klawr-oh-eth-uh-leen, -klohr-]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, nonflammable, nonexplosive liquid, C 2 Cl 4 , used as a solvent, especially in dry cleaning.

tetrachloroethylene

1. A colorless, nonflammable organic liquid used in dry-cleaning solutions, as an industrial solvent, and as an agent for expelling or destroying parasitic intestinal worms. Also called perchloroethylene. Chemical formula: C ₂ Cl ₄ .

Word History and Origins

Origin of tetrachloroethylene¹

1910–15; tetra- + chloro- ² ( def. ) + ethylene ( def. )

Example Sentences

One was mostly contaminated with perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene from an off-base dry cleaning company.

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The compounds included the dry cleaning solvent tetrachloroethylene, or PCE, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says may harm the nervous system, reproductive system, liver and kidneys, and may possibly cause cancer.

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According to the Environmental Protection Agency, tetrachloroethylene is a likely carcinogen and can harm an individual’s nervous system, liver, kidneys and reproductive system.

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Tests earlier found high levels of trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene.

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Environmental firm EnviroForensics found high levels of trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene in Franklin, The Indianapolis Star reported .

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