cetyl alcohol

noun

ce·​tyl alcohol ˈsē-tᵊl- 

: a waxy crystalline alcohol C₁₆H₃₄O obtained by the saponification of spermaceti or the hydrogenation of palmitic acid and used especially in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations and in making detergents

Examples of cetyl alcohol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What exactly is cetyl alcohol? —Devon Abelman, Allure, 17 July 2021

Fatty alcohols, like cetyl alcohol, do just the opposite. —Devon Abelman, Allure, 17 July 2021

But fear not, cetyl alcohol is nothing of the sort. —Devon Abelman, Allure, 17 July 2021

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary cet- (from Latin cetus whale) + -yl; from its occurrence in spermaceti

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cetyl alcohol

noun

ce·​tyl alcohol ˌsēt-ᵊl- 

: a waxy crystalline alcohol used especially in cosmetics, drugs, and detergents

Medical Definition

cetyl alcohol

noun

: a waxy crystalline alcohol C₁₆H₃₄O obtained by the saponification of spermaceti or the hydrogenation of palmitic acid and used especially in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations and in making detergents