Pȳr'o-a-çēt'ic or Pȳr'o-a-cē'tic, a.

a. [Fr. pyroacétique. See PYRO and ACETIC.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or obtained from, acetic acid, when subjected to the action of heat under certain circumstances.

Pyroacetic spirit, a limpid, colorless liquid, of a peculiar smell and pungent taste, formed when acetic acid is passed through a tube, heated to low redness, along with carbonic acid, carbonic oxide, and carbureted hydrogen; called also acetone. Gregory.