A-çĕt'ic or A-çē'tic, a.

(Synop., § 130), a. [Fr. acétique, N. Lat. aceticus, from acetum, vinegar, from acere, to be sour.] (Chem.) (a.) Composed, as a certain acid, of four parts each of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. (b.) Relating to such an acid; as, acetic ether. Acetic acid exists in vinegar in a dilute and impure state. Gregory.