a colorless, odorless, gaseous, toxic, ring compound, C2H4O, usually obtained by the oxidation of ethylene: used chiefly in the synthesis of ethylene glycol.
Main Entry: ethylene oxide Function: noun : a colorless flammable toxic gaseous or liquid compound C2H4O used especially in synthesis (as of ethyleneglycol) and in fumigation and sterilization (as of medical instruments)
