ˈasəˌtal noun
( -s )
Etymology: German azetal, from azet- acet- + al kohol alcohol
1. : any of a class of organic compounds characterized by the grouping >C(OR) 2 and usually made from aldehydes or ketones by reaction with alcohols ; specifically : any acetal derived from acetaldehyde (as by the catalytic addition of an alcohol to acetylene or a vinyl ether)
dimethyl acetal CH 3 CH(OCH 3 ) 2
2. : a colorless liquid CH 3 CH(OC 2 H 5 ) 2 made by the reaction of ethyl alcohol with acetaldehyde and used as a solvent