ketene

noun

ke·​tene ˈkē-ˌtēn How to pronounce ketene (audio)
: a colorless poisonous gas C2H2O of penetrating odor used especially as an acetylating agent
also : any of various derivatives of this compound

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Keten, from Keton ketone + -en -ene

Note: The term was introduced by Hermann staudinger in "Ketene, eine neue Körperklasse," Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft, 83. Jahrgang (1905), Band II, p. 1735.

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ketene was in 1907

Dictionary Entries Near ketene

ketembilla

ketene

kethib

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Ketene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ketene. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

ketene

noun
ke·​tene ˈkē-ˌtēn How to pronounce ketene (audio)
: a colorless poisonous gas C2H2O of penetrating odor used especially as an acetylating agent
also : any of various derivatives of this compound

More from Merriam-Webster on ketene

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ketene

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