Cetylene

/ˈsɛtəliːn/ noun

Definition

An older chemical name for acetylene (ethyne), a flammable hydrocarbon gas historically used in welding and lighting.

Etymology

From 'cetyl' (whale-related hydrocarbon) plus '-ene' (indicating a double bond), though this naming is now obsolete in favor of 'acetylene.'

Kelly Says

Before electricity became common, acetylene (cetylene) lamps lit homes and streets—miners even wore acetylene headlamps, creating eerie moving shadows in underground tunnels!

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