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carbon tetrachloride
noun
: a colorless nonflammable toxic liquid CCl4 that has an odor resembling that of chloroform and is used as a solvent and a refrigerant
Examples of carbon tetrachloride in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Also added during the separation process: organic compounds including kerosene, trichloroethylene, hexone, tributyl phosphate and carbon tetrachloride, as well as inorganics including sodium bismuthate, hydrofluoric acid, sodium dichromate, sulfuric acid and diatomaceous earth.
—Valerie Brown, Discover Magazine, 28 Sep. 2018
In January, the government announced tighter controls on carbon tetrachloride, a chemical that can be used to make CFC-11, and ordered unlicensed companies not to sell it off as a byproduct from making other chemicals.
—Chris Buckley, New York Times, 24 June 2018
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Word History
First Known Use
1868, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of carbon tetrachloride was
in 1868
Dictionary Entries Near carbon tetrachloride
Cite this Entry
“Carbon tetrachloride.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon%20tetrachloride. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
carbon tetrachloride
noun
carbon tet·ra·chlo·ride
-ˌte-trə-ˈklō(ə)r-id,
-ˈklȯ(ə)r-
: a colorless nonflammable poisonous liquid used to dissolve things (as grease)
Medical Definition
carbon tetrachloride
noun
: a colorless nonflammable toxic carcinogenic liquid CCl4 that has an odor resembling that of chloroform and is used as a solvent and a refrigerant
called also tetrachloromethane
More from Merriam-Webster on carbon tetrachloride
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about carbon tetrachloride
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