trichloroethylene

[ trahy-klawr-oh-eth-uh-leen, -klohr- ]
/ traɪˌklɔr oʊˈɛθ əˌlin, -ˌkloʊr- /

noun Chemistry.

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

Words nearby trichloroethylene

trichloride, trichlormethyl chloroformate, trichloroacetaldehyde, trichloroacetic acid, trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, trichlorofluoromethane, trichloromethane, trichloromethyl chloroformate, trichloronitromethane, trichlorophenoxyacetic acid

British Dictionary definitions for trichloroethylene

trichloroethylene

trichlorethylene

/ (traɪˌklɔːrəʊˈɛθɪˌliːn) /

noun

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

Medical definitions for trichloroethylene

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

n.

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

Scientific definitions for trichloroethylene

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

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.