phthalate
[ thal-eyt, fthal- ]
/ ˈθæl eɪt, ˈfθæl- /
noun Chemistry.
a salt or ester of phthalic acid: phthalates are used mainly, and profusely, as plasticizers and solvents, but growing concern over their environmental impact has led to interest in developing biological alternatives.
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Origin of phthalate
First recorded in 1860–65; phthal(ic) + -ate2
Words nearby phthalate
Phrygian mode, Phryne, phrynoderma, PHS, PHSE, phthalate, phthalein, phthalic, phthalic acid, phthalic anhydride, phthalin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for phthalate
phthalate
/ (ˈθælɪt, ˈfθæl-) /
noun
a salt or ester of phthalic acid. Esters are commonly used as plasticizers in PVC; when ingested they can cause kidney and liver damage
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
Scientific definitions for phthalate
phthalate
[ thăl′āt′, fthăl′- ]
Any of a group of esters of phthalic acid, widely used in manufacturing plastics and as a synthetic additive in perfumes and cosmetics, that have been linked to reproductive and hormonal abnormalities in humans and other animals.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.