ketene

noun

ke·​tene ˈkē-ˌtēn 

: a colorless poisonous gas C₂H₂O of penetrating odor used especially as an acetylating agent

also : any of various derivatives of this compound

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Keten, from Keton ketone + -en -ene

Note: The term was introduced by Hermann staudinger in "Ketene, eine neue Körperklasse," Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft, 83. Jahrgang (1905), Band II, p. 1735.

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ketene

noun

ke·​tene ˈkē-ˌtēn 

: a colorless poisonous gas C₂H₂O of penetrating odor used especially as an acetylating agent

also : any of various derivatives of this compound