acetonitrile

[ as-i-toh-nahy-tril, -treel, uh-see-toh- ]

nounChemistry.
  1. a colorless, poisonous, water-soluble liquid, C2H3N, having an etherlike odor: used chiefly in organic synthesis and as a solvent.

Origin of acetonitrile

1
First recorded in 1865–70; aceto- + nitrile
  • Also called methyl cyanide.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024