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cetyl alcohol

American  
[seet-l] / ˈsit l /
Also cetylic alcohol

noun

  1. a white, crystalline, water-insoluble solid, C 16 H 34 O, used chiefly as an emollient in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

cetyl alcohol Scientific  
/ sēt′l /

  1. A waxy alcohol used in lubricants, detergents, cosmetics, and emulsifiers. Chemical formula: C 16 H 34 O.

Etymology

Origin of cetyl alcohol

1870–75; cet- + -yl (so called because some of its compounds are found in spermaceti)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Natural emulsifiers, such as xanthan gum and cetyl alcohol, are sometimes used to prevent organic shampoo from separating and enhance its soapy lather.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.