cetyl alcohol

ce·tyl al·co·hol

(sē'tăl al'kŏ-hol),

The 16-carbon alcohol corresponding to palmitic acid, so called because it is isolated from among the hydrolysis products of spermaceti; it is used as an emulsifying aid and in the preparation of "washable" (oil in water emulsions) ointment bases.

Synonym(s): 1-hexadecanol, palmityl alcohol

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cetyl alcohol

(sēt′l)

n.

A solid white waxy alcohol, C₁₆H₃₄O, used as an emulsifier and in cosmetics, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

cetyl alcohol

A white insoluble solid substance, C₁₆H₃₄O, used in the manufacture of ointments.

See also: alcohol

Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners