Alcoholytic

/ˌælkəˈhɒlɪtɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or involving alcoholysis; describing a chemical process in which a substance is decomposed by alcohol.

Etymology

Derived from 'alcoholysis' with the suffix '-ic' added. This technical chemistry term developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as organic synthesis became more sophisticated.

Kelly Says

This word is barely used anymore because chemists now prefer simpler terminology, but in older chemistry textbooks you'll find '-lytic' words everywhere describing how things break apart under different conditions.

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