ethylene /eth″əlēn/ [Gk, aither, air, hyle, stuff] , a colorless flammable gas that is just lighter than air and has a slightly sweet odor and taste. It was previously used as an inhaled general anesthetic and is slightly more potent than nitrous oxide. It is now used in the food industry for control of fruit ripening, flower opening, and the shedding of leaves. Also called ethene, olefiant gas.
