acetoacetic acid

noun

ace·​to·​ace·​tic acid ˌa-sə-(ˌ)tō-ə-ˈsē-tik- 

ə-ˌsē-tō-

: an unstable acid C₄H₆O₃ that is a ketone body found in abnormal quantities in the blood and urine in some conditions (such as diabetes)

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of German Acetessigsäure, from acet- acet- + Essigsäure "acetic acid"

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

acetoacetic acid

noun

ace·​to·​ace·​tic acid ˌas-ə-(ˌ)tō-ə-ˌsēt-ik-  ə-ˌsēt-ō- 

: an unstable acid C₄H₆O₃ that is one of the ketone bodies found in abnormal amounts in the blood and urine in certain conditions of impaired metabolism (as in starvation and diabetes mellitus)

called also diacetic acid