acetaldehyde

[ as-i-tal-duh-hahyd ]

/ ˌæs ɪˈtæl dəˌhaɪd /

noun Chemistry.

a volatile, colorless, water-soluble liquid, C2H4O, having a pungent, fruitlike odor: used chiefly in the silvering of mirrors and in organic synthesis.

Nearby words

acetabulectomy, acetabuliform, acetabuloplasty, acetabulum, acetal, acetaldehyde, acetaldol, acetamide, acetaminophen, acetanilide, acetanisidine

Origin of acetaldehyde

First recorded in 1875–80; acet- + aldehyde

Also called ethanal.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for acetaldehyde

The substance investigated was acetaldehyde, C2H4O, in its relation to paraldehyde, a polymeric modification.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 8|Various
For this reason it is possible to determine the freezing point curves of acetaldehyde and paraldehyde.
The Phase Rule and Its Applications|Alexander Findlay
Acetaldehyde is not of much importance in itself, but is useful as a transition.
Creative Chemistry|Edwin E. Slosson
This is in harmony with the fact that the polymerisation of acetaldehyde is accompanied by evolution of heat.
The Phase Rule and Its Applications|Alexander Findlay

The decomposition of pyruvic acid into acetaldehyde and carbon dioxide has already been fully discussed (Chapter VI).
Alcoholic Fermentation|Arthur Harden

British Dictionary definitions for acetaldehyde

acetaldehyde

/ (ˌæsɪˈtældɪˌhaɪd) /

noun

a colourless volatile pungent liquid, miscible with water, used in the manufacture of organic compounds and as a solvent and reducing agent. Formula: CH 3 CHOSystematic name: ethanal

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for acetaldehyde

acetaldehyde

[ ăs′ĭ-tăl′də-hīd′ ]

n.

A colorless, flammable liquid formed during ethanol metabolism and yeast fermentation of organic compounds and used to manufacture acetic acid and drugs.aldehyde ethaldehyde

Science definitions for acetaldehyde

acetaldehyde

[ ăs′ĭ-tăl′də-hīd′ ]

A colorless, flammable liquid, used to manufacture acetic acid, perfumes, and drugs. Chemical formula: C2H4O.