Aldehyde

/ˈæl.də.haɪd/ noun

Definition

A type of organic chemical compound containing a carbon atom bonded to an oxygen atom and a hydrogen atom, often created during fermentation or oxidation processes.

Etymology

From German Aldehyd, coined in 1835 by Justus von Liebig, combining alcohol + dehydrogenatum (dehydrogenated); it literally means alcohol that has lost hydrogen atoms.

Kelly Says

Formaldehyde (used in medical labs) and vanillin (which makes vanilla taste like vanilla) are both aldehydes—the same chemical structure creates both a disinfectant and a delicious flavor.

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