acetic acid

noun

ace·​tic acid ə-ˈsē-tik- How to pronounce acetic acid (audio)
: a colorless pungent liquid acid C2H4O2 that is the chief acid of vinegar and that is used especially in synthesis (as of plastics)

Examples of acetic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Amid the chaotic artwork, Curran and her colleagues detected the presence of acetic acid, one of those corrosive gases that can hurt nearby materials. Sarah Everts, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2016 Making apple cider vinegar leads to the formation of acetic acid. Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 24 May 2024 The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar may help lower blood sugar. Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 24 May 2024 And as people seek more eco-friendly (and cheaper) products, the versatile pantry staple, which contains acetic acid and water, is gaining even more traction. Stacey Colino, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for acetic acid 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'acetic acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

acetic borrowed from French acétique, from Latin acētum "sour wine, vinegar" (noun derivative from *acētus, verbal adjective of acēre "to be sour," going back to Indo-European h2eḱ-eh1- "to be sharp") + French -ique -ic entry 1 — more at edge entry 1

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acetic acid was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near acetic acid

Cite this Entry

“Acetic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acetic%20acid. Accessed 29 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

acetic acid

noun
: a colorless strong-smelling liquid acid that gives the sour taste to vinegar and that is used especially in making chemical compounds (as plastics)

Medical Definition

acetic acid

noun
: a colorless pungent liquid acid C2H4O2 that is the chief acid of vinegar and that is used especially in synthesis (as of plastics) and occasionally in medicine as an astringent and styptic

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