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countable and uncountable, plural acetylenes
(organic chemistry, countable) Any organic compound having one or more carbon–carbon triple bonds; an alkyne. examples
(organic chemistry, uncountable) Ethyne; the simplest alkyne, a hydrocarbon of formula HC≡CH. It is a colourless, odorless, extremely flammable, explosive gas, formerly used as an illuminating gas, but now used in welding and metallurgy. examples
A lamp powered by acetylene, particularly a motor vehicle headlight. quotations examples
Mrs. Winnie had kindly sent her limousine car for them, and it stood throbbing in front of the hotel-entrance, its acetylenes streaming far up the street.
1908, Upton Sinclair, The Metropolis, New York: Moffat, Yard & Company, page 69