Plural of acrylic; synthetic fibers, paints, or plastics made from acrylic compounds, commonly used in textiles and art.
From acrylic (relating to acrylic acid) plus the suffix '-s' for plural. The term became widespread in the mid-20th century as these synthetic materials became commercially dominant.
Acrylic paint was invented partly by chemists trying to create a water-soluble alternative to oil paint, but artists initially rejected it as 'fake'—now it's beloved by professionals and beginners alike because it dries fast and never goes bad in the tube!
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