acetone

[ as-i-tohn ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, volatile, water-soluble, flammable liquid, C 3 H 6 O, usually derived by oxidation of isopropyl alcohol or by bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates: used chiefly in paints and varnishes, as a general solvent, and in organic synthesis.

acetone

/ ˈæsɪˌtəʊn; ˌæsɪˈtɒnɪk /

noun

1. a colourless volatile flammable pungent liquid, miscible with water, used in the manufacture of chemicals and as a solvent and thinner for paints, varnishes, and lacquers. Formula: CH 3 COCH 3 Systematic namepropanone

acetone

/ ăs′ĭ-tōn′ /

1. A colorless, volatile, extremely flammable liquid ketone that is widely used as a solvent, for example in nail-polish remover. Chemical formula: C 3 H 6 O .

Derived Forms

• acetonic, adjective

Other Words From

• ac·e·ton·ic [as-i-, ton, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of acetone¹

First recorded in 1830–40; acet- + -one

Word History and Origins

Origin of acetone¹

C19: from German Azeton, from aceto- + -one

Example Sentences

Just as abrasive surfaces can ruin your TV, so can abrasive chemicals like acetone, ammonia, and alcohol—they can eat away the plastic.

From Popular-Science

Like, “Let’s do biofuel, let’s do huge feed, let’s make acetone.”

From Freakonomics

Brown was then sent home with acetone and a rinse, which her sister then used to try and help remove the glue.

From Essence.com

She was sent home with sterilizing water and acetone wipes — commonly used for removing nail polish.

From Washington Post

She adds that the fire was set using gasoline, whereas the fires after were all set using acetone.

From The Daily Beast

Van Ronk described how when visiting Asch he would put on his “Folkways suit,” a filthy jacket that smelled of acetone.

From The Daily Beast

Acetone is derived from decomposition of diacetic acid, and this in turn from beta-oxybutyric acid by oxidation.

From Project Gutenberg

Diacetic acid occurs in the same conditions as acetone, but is less frequent and has more serious significance.

From Project Gutenberg

Neutral volatile substances—ethyl alcohol, aldehyde, acetone.

From Project Gutenberg

More accurate investigations enabled him to identify these substances with acetone compounds.

From Project Gutenberg

What comes over in the form of vapour is a mixture of water, acetone and wood spirit.

From Project Gutenberg