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

cetyl alcohol

(sēt′l)

n.

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

cetyl alcohol (C16H33OH)

[sē′til]

Etymology: L, cetus, whale; Ar, alkohl, essence

a fatty alcohol derived from spermaceti, used as an emulsifier and stiffening agent in creams and ointments. Also called hexadecanol, palmityl alcohol.

cetyl alcohol

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

See also: alcohol