Ethylenoid

/ˈɛθəlɪˌnɔɪd/ adjective

Definition

Resembling or chemically similar to ethylene, used to describe compounds with properties similar to ethylene molecules.

Etymology

From ethylene + -oid (suffix meaning 'like' or 'resembling'); used in chemistry to classify compound types.

Kelly Says

Chemistry loves the -oid suffix because it lets scientists say 'this isn't technically ethylene, but it acts similar enough that we're grouping it here'—it's intellectual efficiency packed into one word.

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