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

Lennick notes that cellulose acetate does have environmental benefits over conventional plastic, such as being biodegradable under certain conditions.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

This compound, called guanidinoethylbenzylamino imidazopyridine acetate, works by preventing the growth of bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis rather than killing them outright.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

As the lawsuit wound its way through federal court, the FDA agreed to accelerate the review of four peptides named in the lawsuit: CJC-1295, AOD-9604, thymosin-alpha and ipamorelin acetate.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

The jewel-toned polygonal acetate lenses and thick, rounded frames make for the coolest everyday look as spring turns to summer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2025

They were predestined to emigrate to the tropics, to be miners and acetate silk spinners and steel workers.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley