a white crystalline solid formerly used in medicine to relieve pain and fever. Because of its kidney toxicity it has been superseded by paracetamol. Formula: CH3CONHC6H4OC2H5
Also called: acetophenetidin
Word origin
C19: from phenetidine + acetyl + -in
phenacetin in American English
(fiˈnæsətɪn)
noun
a white, crystalline powder, C2H5OC6H4NHCOCH3, used to reduce fever and to relieve headaches and muscular pains; acetophenetidin