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pyroligneous acid

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noun py·ro·lig·ne·ous acid \ˌpī-rō-ˈlig-nē-əs-\

Definition of pyroligneous acid

  1. :  an acid reddish-brown aqueous liquid containing chiefly acetic acid, methanol, wood oils, and tars that is obtained by destructive distillation of wood

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Origin and Etymology of pyroligneous acid

French pyroligneux, from pyr- + ligneux woody, from Latin lignosus, from lignum wood — more at ligneous

Learn More about pyroligneous acid

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pyroligneous acid

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