Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Vinyl \Vi"nyl\, n. [L. vinum wine + -yl.] (Chem.)
   The hypothetical radical {C2H3}, regarded as the
   characteristic residue of ethylene and that related series of
   unsaturated hydrocarbons with which the allyl compounds are
   homologous.

Source : WordNet®

vinyl
     n 1: a univalent chemical radical derived from ethylene [syn: {vinyl
          group}, {vinyl radical}]
     2: shiny and tough and flexible plastic; used especially for
        floor coverings