lead acetate

noun

: an acetate of lead

especially : a poisonous soluble salt PbC₄H₆O₄·3H₂O

Examples of lead acetate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Plus the wine in Beethoven's time often contained lead sugar (lead acetate), with the corks often being pre-soaked in lead salt to get a better seal. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 13 May 2024

At the time, lead acetate—which has a sweet taste—was often added to cheap wine to reduce acidity and remove cloudiness. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2024

In the nearly 40 years since lead acetate was initially approved as a color additive, our understanding of the hazards of lead exposure has evolved significantly. —Zoe Weiner, Allure, 31 Oct. 2018

Some hair dyes contain lead acetate, Leiba added, which can increase lead levels in the blood. —Amanda MacMillan, Health.com, 25 Apr. 2018

Ancient Romans used lead acetate to sweeten inferior wines; the Medieval spice trade was rife with cheap substitutes, including plain old tree bark mixed in with cinnamon, dried wood with cloves, and sandalwood in saffron. —Linda Rodriguez McRobbie, Smithsonian, 13 Sep. 2017

Not only were coffins at that time painted on the inside with a lead white paint, but the Western Union uniform Kennicott was wearing and such coats and blankets at the time were treated with lead acetate as a water proofing mechanism. —Allison Keyes, Smithsonian, 8 Mar. 2017

Ancient Romans used lead acetate to sweeten inferior wines —Linda Rodriguez McRobbie, Smithsonian, 13 Sep. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lead acetate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Medical Definition

lead acetate

noun

ˈled- 

: a poisonous soluble lead salt PbC₄H₆O₄·3H₂O used in medicine especially formerly as an astringent

called also sugar of lead