To chemically add an acetyl group (a small carbon-oxygen structure) to a molecule, changing its properties and function.
From acetyl (from acetic acid + -yl) + -ate (verb-forming suffix meaning to treat with or add). The term became standard in organic chemistry in the early 20th century.
Acetylation happens in your own body constantly—your liver acetylates drugs to make them easier to eliminate, and your cells acetylate proteins to turn genes on and off, making it one of nature's favorite chemical tricks.
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