acetate

American  

[as-i-teyt] / ˈæs ɪˌteɪt /

noun

1. Chemistry. a salt or ester of acetic acid.

2. Also called acetate rayon.  a synthetic filament, yarn, or fabric composed of a derivative of the acetic ester of cellulose, differing from viscose rayon in having greater strength when wet and greater sensitivity to high temperatures.

3. a sheet of clear plastic film fastened over the front of artwork for protection, as an overlay, or the like.

4. a slow-burning base material, cellulose triacetate, used for motion-picture film to minimize fire hazard during projection, and also for animation cells.

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acetate British  

/ ˈæsɪˌteɪt /

noun

1. Systematic name: ethanoate.  any salt or ester of acetic acid, containing the monovalent ion CH 3 COO ^– or the group CH 3 COO-

2. (modifier) consisting of, containing, or concerned with the group CH 3 COO-

   acetate group or radical

3. short for acetate rayon cellulose acetate

4. a sound recording disc composed of an acetate lacquer coating on an aluminium or plastic base: used for demonstration or other short-term purposes

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acetate Scientific  

/ ăs′ĭ-tāt′ /

1. A salt or ester of acetic acid. Salts of acetic acid contain a metal attached to the acetic acid radical CH ₃ COO. Esters contain another radical, such as ethyl, attached to the acetic acid radical.

2. Cellulose acetate or a product made from it, especially fibers or film.

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Other Word Forms

• acetated adjective

Etymology

Origin of acetate

First recorded in 1820–30; acet- + -ate ²

Example Sentences

Cellulose acetate, from which the clips are made, comes from cellulose sourced from wood pulp or cotton.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Iovine then arrived with an acetate copy of the album from the master recording.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2025

Local media reported that ethyl acetate, a highly flammable chemical compound, was found at the attack sites.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2025

Ethyl acetate and methylene chloride are two common solvents used to extract caffeine from green coffee beans.

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2024

Her jacket was made of bottle green acetate cloth with green viscose fur at the cuffs and collar.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley