Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun An alcoholic radical (C16H33) supposed to exist in a series of compounds obtained from spermaceti and beeswax.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Chem.) A radical, C16H33, not yet isolated, but supposed to exist in a series of compounds homologous with the ethyl compounds, and derived from spermaceti.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun organic chemistry The univalent hexadecyl radical C16H33- present in many waxes

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Ancient Greek whale + -yl.

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Examples

  • It is a combination of palmitic acid and a peculiar hydrocarbon, called (after the whale) "cetyl," and easily forms pure crystals.

    More Science From an Easy Chair 1888

  • Thus the fat or oil of dozens of different nuts and plant-products and of lower animals and fishes, and of sheep, oxen, pigs, dogs, elephants, and men contain different and special chemical substances, corresponding to the "cetyl" which is present in the fat of the sperm whale's head.

    More Science From an Easy Chair 1888

  • Cornstarch acts as a thickener and binder in cooking, just as an emulsifier such as stearic acid or cetyl alcohol in a cosmetic makes the texture smoother and holds oil and water together.

    Simple Skin Beauty Ellen Marmur 2009

  • Palmitates ethylhexyl, isopropyl, and cetyl palmitates are also emollients

    Simple Skin Beauty Ellen Marmur 2009

  • Cetearyl, cetyl, and stearyl alcohol also a waxy emollient that adds opacity to color

    Simple Skin Beauty Ellen Marmur 2009

  • Palmitates ethylhexyl, isopropyl, and cetyl palmitates are also emollients

    Simple Skin Beauty Ellen Marmur 2009

  • Cetearyl, cetyl, and stearyl alcohol also a waxy emollient that adds opacity to color

    Simple Skin Beauty Ellen Marmur 2009

  • Cornstarch acts as a thickener and binder in cooking, just as an emulsifier such as stearic acid or cetyl alcohol in a cosmetic makes the texture smoother and holds oil and water together.

    Simple Skin Beauty Ellen Marmur 2009

  • For instance, cetyl and cetearyl alcohol are waxy, solid emollients that act as thickeners and emulsifiers in a product, and they moisturize the skin as a by-product.

    Simple Skin Beauty Ellen Marmur 2009

  • For instance, cetyl and cetearyl alcohol are waxy, solid emollients that act as thickeners and emulsifiers in a product, and they moisturize the skin as a by-product.

    Simple Skin Beauty Ellen Marmur 2009

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