cetyl alcohol

noun

ce·​tyl alcohol ˈsē-tᵊl- How to pronounce cetyl alcohol (audio)
: a waxy crystalline alcohol C16H34O obtained by the saponification of spermaceti or the hydrogenation of palmitic acid and used especially in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations and in making detergents

Examples of cetyl alcohol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What exactly is cetyl alcohol? Devon Abelman, Allure, 17 July 2021 Fatty alcohols, like cetyl alcohol, do just the opposite. Devon Abelman, Allure, 17 July 2021 But fear not, cetyl alcohol is nothing of the sort. Devon Abelman, Allure, 17 July 2021

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary cet- (from Latin cetus whale) + -yl; from its occurrence in spermaceti

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cetyl alcohol was in 1863

Dictionary Entries Near cetyl alcohol

Cite this Entry

“Cetyl alcohol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cetyl%20alcohol. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

cetyl alcohol

noun
ce·​tyl alcohol ˌsēt-ᵊl- How to pronounce cetyl alcohol (audio)
: a waxy crystalline alcohol used especially in cosmetics, drugs, and detergents

Medical Definition

cetyl alcohol

noun
: a waxy crystalline alcohol C16H34O obtained by the saponification of spermaceti or the hydrogenation of palmitic acid and used especially in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations and in making detergents

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