acetone

noun ac·e·tone \ ˈa-sə-ˌtōn \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Definition of acetone

: a volatile fragrant flammable liquid ketone C₃H₆O used chiefly as a solvent and in organic synthesis and found in abnormal quantities in diabetic urine

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acetonic

play \ˌa-sə-ˈtä-nik\ adjective

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Recent Examples of acetone from the Web

Step 2: Wipe the shafts down with acetone to remove any sap, then lightly sand them.

— andrew del-colle and lara sorokanich, Popular Mechanics, "How to Make a Bow and Arrow By Hand," 5 June 2018
There were 40 gallons of acetone in the apartment of the suspected bomber.

— marwa eltagouri, chicagotribune.com, "Wisconsin man who blew himself up might have been white supremacist making ISIS-style bombs," 14 Apr. 2018
The Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Department responded to the Life Storage facility at 3190 Pullman St. after a report of an acetone-like odor at about 2:10 p.m., said Capt.

— hannah fry, latimes.com, "Costa Mesa fire crews investigate gas odor at storage facility," 10 May 2018
There were 40 gallons of acetone in the apartment of the suspected bomber.

— marwa eltagouri, chicagotribune.com, "Wisconsin man who blew himself up might have been white supremacist making ISIS-style bombs," 14 Apr. 2018
The spill initially was thought to be all acetone — a solvent used in many nail polish removers that can irritate the nose, throat, eye and skin at moderate to high levels of exposure.

— joy resmovits, latimes.com, "A chemical spill, unchecked eyewash stations, poor training: Audit details Cal State's lax lab safety," 25 Apr. 2018
There were 40 gallons of acetone in the apartment of the suspected bomber.

— marwa eltagouri, chicagotribune.com, "Wisconsin man who blew himself up might have been white supremacist making ISIS-style bombs," 14 Apr. 2018
Some keto adherents also report having pretty atrocious breath, which might be caused by the presence of acetone, a ketone and by-product of fat metabolism, in exhaled breath.

— daniel schultz, ms, SELF, "Here’s What You Should Know Before Going on the Keto Diet," 16 Apr. 2018
The attackers in Brussels likely purchased acetone without raising suspicion.

— marwa eltagouri, chicagotribune.com, "Wisconsin man who blew himself up might have been white supremacist making ISIS-style bombs," 14 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acetone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of acetone

borrowed from French acétone, from (esprit pyro-)acétique, literally, "pyro-acetic spirit," an earlier name for acetone + -one -one

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First Known Use: 1837

in the meaning defined above

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Medical Dictionary

acetone

noun ac·e·tone \ ˈas-ə-ˌtōn \

medical Definition of acetone

: a volatile fragrant flammable liquid ketone C₃H₆O used chiefly as a solvent and in organic synthesis and found in abnormal quantities in diabetic urine — called also propanone

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