a sour, colorless, liquid organic acid, CHCOOH, having a sharp odor: it is contained in vinegar (3 to 8%) and is used with alcohols to produce esters, esp. cellulose acetate
See acetic acid in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A clear, colorless organic acid, CH3COOH, with a distinctive pungent odor, used as a solvent and in the manufacture of rubber, plastics, acetate fibers, pharmaceuticals, and photographic chemicals. It is the chief acid of vinegar.