a chemical compound with formula C4H6O2, occurring naturally as a by-product of fermentation, and commonly added to margarine and other foods because of its buttery taste
diacetyl in American English
(ˌdaiəˈsitl, -ˈsetl, daiˈæsɪtl)
noun
Chemistry
biacetyl
Word origin
[1870–75; di-1 + acetyl]This word is first recorded in the period 1870–75. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Victorian, asymmetric, giveaway, linkage, washoutdi- is a prefix occurring in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “two,” “twice,” “double”(diphthong). On this model, di- is freely used in the formation of compound words (dicotyledon; dipolar) and in chemical terms (diatomic; disulfide)
Examples of 'diacetyl' in a sentence
diacetyl
Diacetyl is used in butterscotch sweets and popcorn.