a colorless, pungent liquid, C4H6O3, the anhydride of acetic acid: used chiefly as a reagent and in the production of plastics, film, and fabrics derived from cellulose.
Main Entry: acetic anhydride Function: noun : a colorless liquid (CH3CO)2O with a pungent odor and lacrimatory and vesicant action that is usedespecially in making acetyl derivatives (as aspirin and cellulose acetate)
