/ əˈkrɪlɪk; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
made of a substance produced by chemical processes from a type of acid :
acrylic paints / fibres
an acrylic sweater
■ noun
1.
[ U ] a type of fibre produced by chemical processes, used to make clothes, etc.
2.
[ C , usually pl. ] a type of paint used by artists
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent.: from the liquid aldehyde acrolein (from Latin acer , acri- pungent + ol(eum) oil + -in ) + -yl + -ic .