acetic acid

acetic acid

 [ah-se´tik]

the two-carbon carboxylic acid, the characteristic component of vinegar; used as a solvent, menstruum, and pharmaceutic necessity. Glacial acetic acid (anhydrous acetic acid) is used as a solvent, vesicant and caustic, and pharmaceutic necessity.

a·ce·tic ac·id

(a-sē'tik as'id),

A product of the oxidation of ethanol and of the destructive distillation of wood; used locally as a counterirritant and occasionally internally, and also as a reagent; contained in vinegars.

Synonym(s): ethanoic acid

acetic acid

/ace·tic ac·id/ (ah-se´tik) the two-carbon carboxylic acid, the characteristic component of vinegar; used as a solvent, menstruum, and pharmaceutic necessity. Glacial a. a. (anhydrous acetic acid) is used as a solvent, vesicant and caustic, and pharmaceutical necessity.

acetic acid

n.

A clear, colorless organic acid, C₂H₄O₂, with a distinctive pungent odor, used as a solvent and in the manufacture of rubber, plastics, acetate fibers, pharmaceuticals, and photographic chemicals. It is the chief acid of vinegar.

acetic acid (HC2H3O2)

a clear, colorless, pungent liquid that is miscible with water, alcohol, glycerin, and ether and that constitutes 3% to 5% of vinegar. Acetic acid is produced commercially by the reaction of methanol with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst, or it may be obtained from ethyl alcohol by the action of many aerobic bacteria. Various concentrations are used in the manufacture of plastics, dyes, insecticides, cellulose acetate, photographic chemicals, and pharmaceutic preparations, including vaginal jellies and antimicrobial solutions for the treatment of superficial infections of the external acoustic meatus. Also called ethanoic acid.

Acetic Acid

Chemistry The main component of vinegar; an organic acid used to manufacture various chemicals—e.g., plastics and other polymers.
Pharmacology A pharmaceutical necessity containing 36% C2H4O2 by weight; it is bactericidal, spermatocidal, and used in vaginal douches for managing Trichomonas, Candida, Haemophilus infections and Acetobacter but, except for producing vinegar, is usually produced synthetically.

acetic acid

Pharmacology A pharmaceutical necessity containing 36% C₂H₄O₂ by weight; it is bactericidal, spermatocidal, and used in vaginal douches for managing Trichomonas, Candida, Haemophilus infections

a·ce·tic ac·id

(ă-sē'tik as'id)

A product of the oxidation of ethanol and of the destructive distillation of wood; used locally as a counterirritant and occasionally internally, and also as a reagent.

acetic acid

or

ethanoic acid

a clear colourless liquid which gives vinegar its pungent odour. Formula: CH₃ COOH.

acetic acid

constituent of some antimycotic paints

a·ce·tic ac·id

(a-sē'tik as'id)

Product of oxidation of ethanol and of the destructive distillation of wood; used locally as a counterirritant and occasionally internally, and also as a reagent; contained in vinegars.
Synonym(s): ethanoic acid.

acetic acid,

n a clear, colorless, pungent liquid that is miscible with water, alcohol, glycerin, and ether and that constitutes 3% to 5% of vinegar.

acetic

pertaining to vinegar or its acid; sour.

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acetic acid

CH₃COOH, a short-chain, saturated fatty acid, the characteristic component of vinegar and one of the principal acids formed in the rumen by fermentation. It has the odor of vinegar and a sharp acid taste. A 36.5% solution of acetic acid is used topically as a caustic and rubefacient. A dilute acetic acid solution (6%) may be used as an antidote to alkali, e.g. in urea poisoning in cattle where the urea is converted to ammonia in the rumen. Glacial acetic acid is a 99.4% solution.