Acetone

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  acetone
       n : the simplest ketone; a highly inflammable liquid widely used
           as an organic solvent and as material for making plastics
           [syn: {propanone}, {dimethyl ketone}]