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acetic (adj.)
1808 (in acetic acid), from French acétique "pertaining to vinegar, sour, having the properties of vinegar," from Latin acetum "vinegar" (properly vinum acetum "wine turned sour;" see vinegar), originally past participle of acere "be sharp; be sour" (related to acer "sharp"), from PIE *ak-eto-, suffixed form of root *ak- "be sharp, rise (out) to a point, pierce."
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Definitions of acetic
Dictionary entries near acetic
acervate
acervulus
acescent
acetaminophen
acetate
acetic
acetification
aceto-
acetone
acetylene
ach