A synthetic fiber made from cellulose acetate, known for its silk-like appearance, quick-drying properties, and resistance to shrinking and wrinkling. It's commonly used in linings, blouses, and formal wear.
Derived from 'acetic acid,' the chemical compound used in its production, combined with the suffix '-ate' indicating a salt or ester. Commercial production began in the 1920s as an alternative to silk.
Acetate was nicknamed 'artificial silk' in the 1920s and became crucial during WWII when real silk was unavailable for civilian use due to military needs for parachutes. Its unique property of dissolving in acetone makes it both useful for creating special effects in fashion and problematic for dry cleaning.
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