n. Any of a class of compounds derived from an oxyacid, usually resulting from the reaction of an oxyacid and an alcohol with the elimination of water. [German, short for Essigäther : Essig, vinegar (from Middle High German ezzich, from Old High German ezzīh, from Latin acētum; see ak- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots) + Äther, ether (from Latin aethēr; see ETHER).] |
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