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cetyl alcohol

noun ce·tyl alcohol \ 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

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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

Learn More about cetyl alcohol

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cetyl alcohol

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cetyl alcohol
CEU

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