cetyl alcohol


ce·tyl alcohol

noun \ˈsē-təl-\

Definition of CETYL ALCOHOL

: 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

Origin of CETYL ALCOHOL

International Scientific Vocabulary cet- (from Latin cetus whale) + -yl; from its occurrence in spermaceti
First Known Use: 1863

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