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 19 Mar. 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

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