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Glite Dictionary
to acetylate

to acetylate

9.9
To add a small chemical part called acetyl to a molecule
  • verb
  • /əˈsiːtɪleɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : acetilar
  • Researchers often acetylate proteins to study their interactions in biological processes.

Examples

  • To improve the flavor, the chef will acetylate the ingredients before cooking.

  • Genes are imprinted by being methylated or by being acetylated, and imprinting basically turns the gene off.

  • But acetylated and synthesized in our lab... I've turned it into the miracle Mr. Weyland died searching for.

    Alien: Romulus (2024)

  • Unfortunately, the consumption of large amounts of Cialis water may occur with magnesium, leading to metabolism to acetylated protein.

    Blog text (24)

  • The chemist decided to acetylate the compound to enhance its solubility.

Synonyms

to acetylize
vsto acetylate
  • Specialized
9.9

To add a small acetyl group to a chemical compound

has identical meaning but uses a different suffix spelling

Surface Forms

acetylate infinitive
acetylated past
acetylated past participle
acetylating present participle
acetylates third person singular

Morphology

acetylate = acetyl (transparent) = acetyl + ate

Formed from the chemical combining form 'acetyl' plus the productive verb-forming suffix '-ate'; the meaning 'to add an acetyl group' is directly predictable for learners familiar with the technical base term.

Etymology

Acetylate comes from acetyl, which goes back to Latin acetum meaning 'vinegar', and the ending -ate meaning 'to make', as in activate. So to acetylate is like 'adding a little vinegar part' to a chemical, a simple image to remember that it means 'to add an acetyl group'.