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cetyl alcohol

noun ce·tyl alcohol \ ˈsē-tᵊl- \
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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

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Origin and Etymology of cetyl alcohol

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

Medical Dictionary

cetyl alcohol

noun

medical 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

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  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cetyl alcohol

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cetyl alcohol
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