Word Study
acetate
CIDE DICTIONARY
acetate, n. [L. acetum vinegar, fr. acere to be sour.].
A salt formed by the union of acetic acid with a base or positive radical; as, acetate of lead, acetate of potash. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
acetate, n.
1 a salt or ester of acetic acid, esp. the cellulose ester used to make textiles, gramophone records, etc. Also called ETHANOATE.
2 a fabric made from cellulose acetate.
1 a salt or ester of acetic acid, esp. the cellulose ester used to make textiles, gramophone records, etc. Also called ETHANOATE.
2 a fabric made from cellulose acetate.
Idiom
acetate fibre (or silk) fibre (or silk) made artificially from cellulose acetate.
Etymology
ACETIC + -ATE(1) 2
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