trichloroethylene

[trahy-klawr-oh-eth-uh-leen, -klohr-]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, poisonous liquid, C 2 HCl 3 , used chiefly as a degreasing agent for metals and as a solvent, especially in dry cleaning, for fats, oils, and waxes. TCE

trichloroethylene

/ traɪˌklɔːrəʊˈɛθɪˌliːn /

noun

1. a volatile nonflammable mobile colourless liquid with an odour resembling that of chloroform. It is a good solvent for certain organic materials and is also an inhalation anaesthetic. Formula CHCl:CCl 2

trichloroethylene

1. A heavy, colorless, toxic liquid. It is used to degrease metals, to extract oil from nuts and fruit, as a refrigerant, in dry cleaning, and as a fumigant. Chemical formula: C ₂ HCl ₃ .

Word History and Origins

Origin of trichloroethylene¹

First recorded in 1915–20; tri- + chloro- ² + ethylene

Example Sentences

Other government-funded research has established a link between autism and another solvent, trichloroethylene, also known as TCE, which has been used for dry cleaning, manufacturing and degreasing machines.

From Salon

Other toxic chemicals including benzene and trichloroethylene also exceeded state health standards in the soil.

From Los Angeles Times

Environmental Protection Agency on Monday proposed banning the cancer-causing chemical trichloroethylene, which can be found in consumer products including automobile brake cleaners, furniture care and arts and crafts spray coating.

From Seattle Times

Several years ago, the Borlands and a group o neighbors learned their water was polluted with trichloroethylene, or TCE, a solvent that was traced to a nearby business.

From Los Angeles Times

They allege that trichloroethylene in that water caused their Parkinson’s disease.

From Science Magazine