trichloroethylene

trichloroethylene [trahy-klawr-oh-eth-uh-leen, -klohr-] Word Origin noun Chemistry.

1. a colorless, poisonous liquid, C2HCl3, used chiefly as a degreasing agent for metals and as a solvent, especially in dry cleaning, for fats, oils, and waxes. Abbreviation: TCE

Origin of trichloroethylene First recorded in 1915–20; tri- + chloro-2 + ethylene British Dictionary definitions for trichloroethylene trichloroethylene trichlorethylene 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 in Medicine trichloroethylene [trī-klôr′ō-ĕth′ə-lēn′] n.

1. An analgesic and inhalation anesthetic used in minor surgical operations and in obstetrics.

trichloroethylene in Science trichloroethylene [trī-klôr′ō-ĕth′ə-lēn′]

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: C2HCl3.