pyroligneous acid
noun Chemistry.
a yellowish, acidic, water-soluble liquid, containing about 10 percent acetic acid, obtained by the destructive distillation of wood: used for smoking meats.
Also called
wood vinegar.
Origin of pyroligneous acid
First recorded in 1780–90
Words nearby pyroligneous acid
pyrognostics,
pyrograph,
pyrography,
pyrokinesis,
pyroligneous,
pyroligneous acid,
pyroligneous alcohol,
pyrolize,
pyrolusite,
pyrolyse,
pyrolysis
British Dictionary definitions for pyroligneous acid
pyroligneous acid
noun
the crude reddish-brown acidic liquid obtained by the distillation of wood and containing acetic acid, methanol, and acetone
Also called: wood vinegar