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Definition of "acetal" [ac•e•tal]

  • A colorless, flammable, volatile liquid, CH3CH(OC2H5)2, used in cosmetics and as a solvent. (noun)
  • Any of the class of compounds formed from aldehydes combined with alcohol. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "acetal" in a sentence
  • "Fasteners are available in a broad range of sizes, and in more than 15 different types of materials from steel to brass to stainless steel to aluminum to titanium as well as plastics such as acetal, nylon, PVC and ceramic material."
  • "The same way it works on muscles to make them not contract so the skin doesn't wrinkle, it -- the same substance contains acetal coli (ph) a neurotransmitter -- it actually stops the sweat gland from secreting the fluid."
  • "Standard configurations include 2mm diameter screws with leads ranging from 0. 3mm to 2mm per revolution and a variety of nut configurations of self-lubricating acetal and Kerkite® High Performance Composite Polymers."