cellulose acetate

American  

noun

1. any of a group of acetic esters of cellulose, used to make yarns, textiles, nonflammable photographic films, rubber and celluloid substitutes, etc.

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cellulose acetate British  

noun

1. nonflammable material made by acetylating cellulose: used in the manufacture of film, dopes, lacquers, and artificial fibres

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cellulose acetate Scientific  

1. Any of several compounds obtained by treating cellulose with acetic anhydride. Cellulose acetate is used in lacquers, photographic film, transparent sheeting, and cigarette filters.

2. Also called acetate cellulose

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Etymology

Origin of cellulose acetate

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Items like Line Vautrin’s ruff style necklace of cellulose acetate, metal and mirror shards, or Michele Oka Doner’s bronze and diamond talisman necklace are as fragile as cicadas’ wings.

From New York Times

At the University of Kansas, Tang further analyzed the fossils using a painstaking process known as the “cellulose acetate peeling” technique.

From Seattle Times

The frames come in chunky, sturdy cellulose acetate or aerodynamic, streamlined titanium; the lenses range from translucent tinted blues or yellows to impenetrable, aloof black.

From New York Times

The butt of a cigarette is primarily the filter, made of a type of plasticized cellulose acetate.

From Washington Times

Berkeley in the 1930s and 1940s, the paleontologists would dissolve cellulose acetate film strips in acetone to make glue rather than buy the more expensive Duco Cement.

From Scientific American