acetone

Noun
Synonyms: propanonedimethyl ketone

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. the simplest ketone; a highly inflammable liquid widely used as an organic solvent and as material for making plasticsSynonyms: propanonedimethyl ketone
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

acetone \ac"e*tone\ ([a^]s"[-e]*t[=o]n), n. [See Acetic.] (Chem.) A volatile liquid (CH3.CO.CH3); pyroacetic spirit; methyl ketone; -- obtained by fermentation, the distillation of certain acetates, or by the destructive distillation of citric acid, starch, sugar, or gum, with quicklime. It is commonly used as a solvent. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Note: The term was once also applied to a number of bodies of similar constitution, more frequently called ketones. See Ketone. [1913 Webster +PJC]

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