acetic anhydride

noun Chemistry.

a colorless, pungent liquid, C4H6O3, the anhydride of acetic acid: used chiefly as a reagent and in the production of plastics, film, and fabrics derived from cellulose.

Origin of acetic anhydride

First recorded in 1875–80

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British Dictionary definitions for acetic anhydride

acetic anhydride

noun

a colourless pungent liquid used in the manufacture of cellulose and vinyl acetates for synthetic fabrics. Formula: (CH 3 CO) 2 O

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