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

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