n. any of the series of unsaturated hydrocarbons of which ethylene is a type
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. A general name of hydrocarbons having the formula CnH2n, homologous with ethylene: so called from their property of forming oily compounds with bromine and chlorin, like Dutch oil or liquid.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. any unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon
Word Usage
"In elimination, two groups on adjacent carbon atoms are lost and an olefine (alkene) is formed."