a colorless volatile water-soluble liquid aldehyde used chiefly in the manufacture of acetic acid and perfumes and drugs
An organic compound, (CH₃CHO). Sometimes called ethanal or acetic aldehyde. See aldehyde.
The name combines the prefix acet- with the suffix -aldehyde to describe a compound related to acetic acid. This term directly identifies the substance as an aldehyde derivative of the acet group.