Acetylsalicylate

/ə.ˌsɛt.əl.sə.ˈlɪs.ə.leɪt/ noun

Definition

The salt or ester form of acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin.

Etymology

From acetylsalicylic (acetyl + salicylic, from salicin found in willow bark) + -ate (salt/ester suffix). This term became standard as aspirin became a commercial drug.

Kelly Says

Acetylsalicylate is aspirin in a different chemical form, and it's one of the most important discoveries in medicine—aspirin works by acetylizing an enzyme, which shows how a tiny chemical modification can have huge effects on human health!

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