Definition of "acetanilide" []

• A white crystalline compound, C6H5NH(COCH3), formerly used in medicine to relieve pain and reduce fever. It has been replaced by safer agents because of its toxicity. (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.

• "An important adulterant, which should always be tested for, is acetanilide (antifebrin), which may be detected by the characteristic isocyanide odour produced when musk containing this substance is boiled with alcoholic potash, and a few drops of chloroform added."
• "SO_ H. Anilides, compounds in which the amino group is substituted by an acid radical, are prepared by heating aniline with certain acids; antifebrin or acetanilide is thus obtained from acetic acid and aniline."
• "Influence of certain drugs upon the toxicity of acetanilide and antipyrine."