polyvinyl acetal

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any of the class of thermoplastic resins derived by the condensation of an aldehyde with polyvinyl alcohol.
2. the slightly yellow, water-insoluble resin produced from partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate and formaldehyde: used chiefly in the manufacture of lacquers, photographic film, and adhesives.

Word History and Origins

Origin of polyvinyl acetal¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

In the new it is polyvinyl acetal resin, a synthetic plastic made from acetylene.

From Time Magazine Archive