acetone
acetone (as"e*tōn) , noun
[See Acetic.]
(Chemistry) A volatile liquid (CH3.CO.CH3); pyroacetic spirit; methyl ketone; -- obtained by fermentation, the distillation of certain acetates, or by the destructive distillation of citric acid, starch, sugar, or gum, with quicklime. It is commonly used as a solvent.
The term was once also applied to a number of bodies of similar constitution, more frequently called ketones. See Ketone.