Plural form of acetate; salts or esters formed when acetic acid reacts with bases or alcohols, commonly used in textiles, plastics, and other products.
From Latin 'acetum' (vinegar) + '-ate' (a chemical suffix denoting a salt or ester) + plural '-s'. The root connects to the sour taste of vinegar, which is mostly acetic acid.
Acetates revolutionized fashion—cellulose acetate fabrics could be dyed brilliant colors and moved smoothly, making the glamorous clothing of the early 20th century possible without the toxicity of earlier synthetic fibers!
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