A material made by acetylating cellulose (plant fiber), creating a plastic-like substance used in films, fibers, and coatings.
From acetyl + cellulose (from cellule meaning small cell, + -ose suffix for sugars). Invented in the early 1900s as one of the first synthetic plastics.
Acetate fibers (made from acetylcellulose) were the first synthetic fabric and were used in early airplane wings because they were stronger and lighter than cotton, and you might still wear them today in dress pants, sunglasses frames, or even dental floss.
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