acetylene

Definition

Any organic compound having one or more carbon–carbon triple bonds; an alkyne.

Etymology

Borrowed from French acétylène, coined by French chemist Marcellin Berthelot, from acetyl + -ene.

Example Sentences

• "The acetylene gas lighting in the station offices and platforms at Kyle of Lochalsh recently has been replaced by electric lighting."
• "Mrs. Winnie had kindly sent her limousine car for them, and it stood throbbing in front of the hotel-entrance, its acetylenes streaming far up the street."