acetate

American  

[as-i-tayt] / 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

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Etymology

Origin of acetate

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

acetate

For example, gold palladium catalysts are used to produce vinyl acetate, an essential ingredient in many plastics and other products.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

Onshoring isn't an option - she hasn't found a high-volume cellulose acetate factory in the US, and it would likely raise prices too much anyway.

From BBC ● Apr. 22, 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

Where available, the tests included expanded screening for more than 290 pesticides and checks for other hazardous materials, such as vitamin E acetate or synthetic cannabinoids.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2024

A staff member recorded the reading on an acetate disc.

From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow

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