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acetic

[uh-see-tik, uh-set-ik]
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adjective
  1. pertaining to, derived from, or producing vinegar or acetic acid.
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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. 2018

Examples from the Web for acetic

Historical Examples

  • 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?

  • 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.

  • Rub with acetic acid (see) behind the ears, but not so as to cause soreness.

British Dictionary definitions for acetic

acetic

adjective
  1. of, containing, producing, or derived from acetic acid or vinegar
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Word Origin

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).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
acetic in Science

acetic

[ə-sē′tĭk]
  1. Relating to or containing acetic acid or vinegar.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.