<B>acerbic, </B>adjective. <B>=acerb.</B> <I>Ex. ... one of the lengthiest and most acerbic feuds ever waged (Time).</I> adv. <B>acerbically.</B> </DL>
<A NAME="acerbity">
<B>acerbity, </B>noun, pl. <B>-ties.</B><DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>sharpness of taste; sourness or bitterness. <DD><B> 2. </B>(Figurative.) harshness of manner, tone, or language; severity. (SYN) acrimony. </DL>
<A NAME="acerentomon">
<B>acerentomon, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a primitive wingless insect with no antennae, no eyes, and front legs used as organs of touch. </DL>
<A NAME="acerola">
<B>acerola, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>a deep-red fruit about the size of a large cherry, with a tart flavor; Puerto Rican cherry; Barbados cherry; West Indian cherry. It is the richest known natural sourceof vitamin C. <DD><B> 2. </B>the small, bushy tree on which this fruit grows, native to the West Indies, parts of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. </DL>
<A NAME="acerose">
<B>acerose, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> needle-shaped and stiff, as the leaves or needles of the pine. </DL>
<A NAME="acerous">
<B>acerous, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> without horns, antennae, or tentacles. </DL>
<B>aces, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> (U.S. Slang.) of the highest quality or excellence; tops. </DL>
<A NAME="acescence">
<B>acescence, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> process of souring. </DL>
<A NAME="acescency">
<B>acescency, </B>noun. =acescence.</DL>
<A NAME="acescent">
<B>acescent, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>likely to turn sour or acid. <DD><B> 2. </B>slightly sour; acidulous. </DL>
<A NAME="acet">
<B>acet-,</B><DL COMPACT><DD> (combining form.) the form of <B>aceto-</B> before vowels, as in <I>acetal, acetaldehyde, acetanilide.</I> </DL>
<A NAME="acetabular">
<B>acetabular, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> like an acetabulum; cup-shaped. </DL>
<A NAME="acetabulum">
<B>acetabulum, </B>noun, pl. <B>-lums,</B> <B>-la.</B><DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>the cup-shaped socket at the base of the hipbone into which the ball-shaped top of the thighbone fits. <DD><B> 2. </B>(Zoology.) any cup-shaped structure, such as a sucker on the ventral side of a parasitic flatworm. </DL>
<A NAME="acetal">
<B>acetal, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>a colorless, volatile liquid with an etherlike odor, found in old wines, brandy, etc., used especially as a hypnotic or soporific and as a solvent. <DD><B> 2. </B>any one of a class of organic compounds obtained by the reaction of aldehydes or ketones with alcohols. <DD><B> 3. </B><B>=acetal resin.</B> </DL>
<A NAME="acetaldehyde">
<B>acetaldehyde, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a colorless, highly volatile, fragrant substance, used as a source of acetic acid, as a solvent, as a solid fuel (canned heat), and in the synthesis of many other compounds; aldehyde. </DL>
<A NAME="acetalresin">
<B>acetal resin,</B><DL COMPACT><DD> a thermoplastic material obtained by polymerization of formaldehyde. Acetal resins are tough, stiff, springy, and have a high melting point. They are used as a substitute for metals, in automobile and appliance parts, and in hardware. </DL>
<A NAME="acetamid">
<B>acetamid, </B>noun. =acetamide.</DL>
<A NAME="acetamide">
<B>acetamide, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a white, readily soluble, crystalline solid used in organic synthesis. It is the amide of acetic acid. </DL>
<A NAME="acetaminophen">
<B>acetaminophen, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a crystalline drug derived from acetanilide and used instead of aspirin, especially in cases of hemorrhagic and allergic disorders. </DL>
<A NAME="acetanilid">
<B>acetanilid, </B>noun. =acetanilide.</DL>
<A NAME="acetanilide">
<B>acetanilide, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a drug used in medicines to lessen pain and fever; antifebrin. It is a white, soluble, crystalline compound. Acetanilide may destroy blood cells, weaken heart muscles, and even cause death after long use. </DL>
<A NAME="acetarsone">
<B>acetarsone, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> an arsenical compound used in the treatment of amebic dysentery. </DL>
<A NAME="acetate">
<B>acetate, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>a salt or ester of acetic acid. <DD><B> 2. </B>any one of a group of synthetic resins or fibers made from cellulose acetate. <BR> <I>Ex. Color-fast acetate is also being made up into myriad items from wedding gowns to raincoats, umbrellas, curtains, ribbons (Wall Street Journal).</I> </DL>
<A NAME="acetated">
<B>acetated, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> treated with acetic acid; formed into an acetate. </DL>
<A NAME="acetazolamide">
<B>acetazolamide, </B>noun. =acetazoleamide.</DL>
<A NAME="acetazoleamide">
<B>acetazoleamide </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a diuretic used in treating epilepsy, peptic ulcers, and certain forms of hepatitis. </DL>
<A NAME="acetic">
<B>acetic, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> of, producing, or derived from vinegar or acetic acid. </DL>
<A NAME="aceticacid">
<B>acetic acid,</B><DL COMPACT><DD> a sour, colorless acid in vinegar, responsible for the tart taste and pungent odor. It is a compound of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen, used in the manufacture of acetates and pharmaceuticals, in organic synthesis, and as a solvent for various gums and resins. </DL>
<A NAME="aceticanhydride">
<B>acetic anhydride,</B><DL COMPACT><DD> an acrid, colorless liquid used in the manufacture of cellulose acetate. It is the anhydride of acetic acid. </DL>
<A NAME="acetification">
<B>acetification, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> the action of converting into vinegar or acetic acid. </DL>
<A NAME="acetify">
<B>acetify, </B>transitive verb, intransitive verb, <B>-fied,</B> <B>-fying.</B><DL COMPACT><DD> to turn into vinegar or acetic acid. noun <B>acetifier.</B> </DL>
<A NAME="acetimeter">
<B>acetimeter, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> an apparatus for measuring the quantity of acetic acid in a solution, especially in vinegar. </DL>
<A NAME="acetimetry">
<B>acetimetry, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>the determination of the strength of vinegar. <DD><B> 2. </B>the measurement of the proportion of acetic acid in any substance. </DL>
<A NAME="acetize">
<B>acetize, </B>intransitive verb, <B>-tized,</B> <B>-tizing.</B><DL COMPACT><DD> to become sour; acetify. </DL>
<A NAME="aceto">
<B>aceto-,</B><DL COMPACT><DD> (combining form.) acetic acid or acetyl. <BR> <I>Ex. Acetoglyceride = a chemical substance formed by treating glyceride with acetic acid.</I> <DL COMPACT><DD> Also, <B>acet-</B> before vowels. </DL>
</DL>
<A NAME="acetoaceticacid">
acetoacetic acid, =diacetic acid.</DL>
<A NAME="acetoglyceride">
<B>acetoglyceride, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a substance formed by treating animal or vegetable fats or oils, such as lard, or soybean or peanut oil, with acetic acid. It is used especially to retard spoilage in certain foods and cosmetic ointments. </DL>
<A NAME="acetometer">
<B>acetometer, </B>noun. =acetimeter.</DL>
<A NAME="acetometry">
<B>acetometry, </B>noun. =acetimetry.</DL>
<A NAME="acetone">
<B>acetone, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a colorless, sweet-smelling, highly inflammable liquid, the simplest ketone, used as a solvent for oils and other organic compounds and in making varnishes and pharmaceuticals. </DL>
<A NAME="acetonebodies">
<B>acetone bodies,</B><DL COMPACT><DD> (Medicine.) a group of ketones resulting from incomplete oxidation of fats, the presence of which in urine is a characteristic symptom of diabetes; ketone bodies. </DL>
<A NAME="acetonemia">
<B>acetonemia, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>an excess of acetone bodies in the blood, as in diabetes; ketosis. <DD><B> 2. </B>ketosis of cattle. </DL>
<A NAME="acetonic">
<B>acetonic, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> of or derived from acetone. </DL>
<A NAME="acetonitrile">
<B>acetonitrile, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a colorless liquid prepared from acetamide, used in organic synthesis, especially as a purification agent and solvent. </DL>
<A NAME="acetonuria">
<B>acetonuria, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> an excess of acetone bodies in the urine, as in diabetes; ketonuria. </DL>
<A NAME="acetophenetidin">
<B>acetophenetidin, </B>noun. =phenacetin.</DL>
<A NAME="acetophenone">
<B>acetophenone, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a colorless liquid used in making perfumes. </DL>
<B>acetous, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>producing or containing vinegar or acetic acid. <DD><B> 2. </B>tasting like vinegar; sour. </DL>
<A NAME="acetum">
<B>acetum, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>(Pharmacy.) a solution of certain drugs in dilute acetic acid. <DD><B> 2. </B>vinegar. </DL>
<A NAME="acetyl">
<B>acetyl, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> (Chemistry.) the univalent radical of acetic acid and its derivatives. </DL>
<A NAME="acetylate">
<B>acetylate, </B>transitive verb, <B>-lated,</B> <B>-lating.</B><DL COMPACT><DD> to add one or more acetyl radicals to (an organic compound). <BR> <I>Ex. Fully acetylated cotton is another treated cotton that combines the textile's good natural qualities with some desirable synthetic qualities (Scientific American).</I> noun <B>acetylation.</B> </DL>
<A NAME="acetylcholine">
<B>acetylcholine, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a substance produced in nerve tissue and closely associated with the transmission of nerve impulses in the body. It is a derivative of choline. Produced synthetically, it is used in treating high blood pressure, amblyopia, etc. (Abbr:) ACH (no periods). </DL>
<B>acetyl coenzyme A,</B><DL COMPACT><DD> (Biochemistry.) a compound important as an intermediate in metabolism, as an acetylating agent, and in other biochemical functions. </DL>
<A NAME="acetylene">
<B>acetylene, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a colorless gas that burns with a bright light, and very hot flame. It is used for preparing other compounds to make synthetic fibers and plastics. It is also used in lighting and, combined with oxygen, for welding and cutting metals. </DL>
<A NAME="acetyleneseries">
<B>acetylene series,</B><DL COMPACT><DD> a series of unsaturated hydrocarbons. </DL>
<A NAME="acetylenetorch">
<B>acetylene torch,</B> =oxyacetylene torch.</DL>
<A NAME="acetylenic">
<B>acetylenic, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> prepared from or resembling acetylene. </DL>
<A NAME="acetylic">
<B>acetylic, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> of or having to do with acetyl. </DL>
