Polythene: meaning, definitions and examples

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polythene

 

[ หˆpษ’lษชฮธiหn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

material science

Polythene, also known as polyethylene, is a common thermoplastic polymer made from the polymerization of ethylene. It is widely used in various applications due to its durability, flexibility, and resistance to moisture, making it ideal for packaging materials and plastic bags.

Synonyms

PE, plastic, polyethylene

Examples of usage

  • The grocery store uses polythene bags for packaging groceries.
  • Many toys are made from polythene because of its resilience.
  • Polythene sheets are often used as a vapour barrier in construction.

Translations

Translations of the word "polythene" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น polietileno

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเฅ‰เคฒเฅ€เคฅเฅ€เคจ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Polyethylen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ polietilena

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะปะฐัั‚ะธะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ polietylen

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒใƒชใ‚จใƒใƒฌใƒณ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท polyรฉthylรจne

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ polietileno

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท polietilen

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํด๋ฆฌ์—ํ‹ธ๋ Œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู„ุจูˆู„ูŠ ุฅูŠุซูŠู„ูŠู†

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ polyethylen

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ polyetylรฉn

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่šไน™็ƒฏ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ polietilen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ pรณlรฝetรฝlen

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฟะพะปะธัั‚ะธะปะตะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒžแƒแƒšแƒ”แƒ—แƒ˜แƒšแƒ”แƒœแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ polietilen

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ polietileno

Etymology

The term 'polythene' is derived from 'polyethylene', which itself comes from the Greek prefix 'poly-', meaning 'many', and the 'ethylene', derived from 'ethane', the simplest alkane hydrocarbon. Ethylene was first discovered in the 19th century, and polyethylene was first synthesized in 1898 by chemist Hermann Staudinger. However, its significant commercial production started in the 1930s. Polythene became popular after WWII due to its versatility and low cost, leading to applications in various industries including packaging, consumer products, and construction. The widespread use of polythene has raised environmental concerns, given its longevity and the difficulties associated with its disposal. As a result, there are growing efforts to promote recycling and develop biodegradable alternatives.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,165, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.