ˈpinəˌkȯl, -kōl noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary pinac- + -ol; from the fact that it unites with water to form tabloid-shaped crystals
1. : a liquid glycol (CH 3 ) 2 C(OH)C(OH)(CH 3 ) 2 that forms a crystalline hexahydrate C 6 H 12 (OH) 2 .6H 2 O and that is usually made from acetone by reduction with amalgamated magnesium followed by hydrolysis of the intermediate magnesium derivative; 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol
2. : any of a series of tetrasubstituted derivatives of ethylene glycol obtained by reduction of ketones other than acetone
• pinacolic adjective