acetic

[uh-see-tik, uh-set-ik]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR acetic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

pertaining to, derived from, or producing vinegar or acetic acid.

Origin of acetic

First recorded in 1800–10; acet- + -ic

Related formssem·i·a·ce·tic, adjectiveun·a·ce·tic, adjective

Can be confusedacetic aesthetic ascetic

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

Related Words for acetic

acid, biting, sour

Examples from the Web for acetic

Historical Examples of acetic

This blue is distinguished from smalt by dissolving in acetic acid.
Field's Chromatography
George Field
What is the legal requirement in this state for acetic acid in vinegar?
Human Foods and Their Nutritive Value
Harry Snyder
When used, moisten the gums with a little of the acetic acid diluted.
Practical Taxidermy
Montagu Browne
Dissolve the gallic acid, sesgurichloride, and add the acetic acid.
The Ladies Book of Useful Information
Anonymous
Rub with acetic acid (see) behind the ears, but not so as to cause soreness.
Papers on Health
John Kirk

British Dictionary definitions for acetic

acetic

adjective

of, containing, producing, or derived from acetic acid or vinegar

Word Origin for acetic

C19: from Latin acētum vinegar

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

Word Origin and History for acetic

adj.

1808, from French acétique "pertaining to vinegar," from Latin acetum "vinegar" (properly vinum acetum "wine turned sour;" see vinegar), originally past participle of acere "be sour," related to acer "sharp" (see acrid).

acetic in Science

acetic

[ə-sē′tĭk]

Relating to or containing acetic acid or vinegar.