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. SYN: ethanoic acid.
- diluted a. contains 6% w/v of a..
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acetic acid n a colorless pungent liquid acid C2H4O2 that is the chief acid of vinegar and that is used esp. in synthesis (as of plastics) and occas. in medicine as an astringent and styptic
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ace·tic ac·id (ə-seґtik) 1. the two-carbon carboxylic acid, CH3COOH, which is the characteristic component of vinegar, and, mostly in the form of acetyl coenzyme A, an important biochemical intermediate. 2. [NF] a preparation used as a solvent and menstruum and as a pharmaceutic necessity in the preparation of aluminum subacetate topical solution. Systematic name: ethanoic acid.Medical dictionary. 2011.