polythene

Contraction of polyethylene.

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polythene (countable and uncountable, plural polythenes)

1. (organic chemistry, chiefly British) A light thermoplastic used in packaging etc.; polyethylene.
   • 1969, “Polythene Pam”, in John Lennon (lyrics), Abbey Road‎^[1], performed by The Beatles:

     Well, you should see Polythene Pam, / She's so good looking but she looks like a man. / Well, you should see her in drag, / Dressed in her polythene bag. / Yes, you should see Polythene Pam.

   • 1971, Gwen White, Antique Toys And Their Background, page 129:

     All that was needed [to make a hula hoop] was a bag of high-density polythene dust, a handful of two-inch wooden plugs, half a pound of wire staples, and the help of a man with an extrusion machine, which simply meant anyone who could make a length of plastic hose.

• “polythene”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.

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