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Glite Dictionary
isopropyl alcohol

isopropyl alcohol

1 4.1
A clear liquid that burns easily and cleans skin, kills germs, and removes grease
  • noun
  • /ˌaɪsoʊˈproʊpɪl ˈæl.kə.hɔl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : alcohol isopropílico
  • I cleaned the copper connectors with isopropyl alcohol to remove any remaining residue and put a drop of tin solder over each connection point.
  • 70% isopropyl alcohol

Examples

  • Bacterial counts were reduced substantially for all three organisms by wipes containing either 70% isopropyl alcohol, 1.84% sodium hypochlorite, or quaternary ammonium compounds.

    Academic text (2009)

  • I cleaned the copper connectors with isopropyl alcohol to remove any remaining residue and put a drop of tin solder over each connection point.

  • However, if you can use 70% isopropyl alcohol,

    Blog text (21)

  • Now I wonder, would IPA, isopropyl alcohol break it down at all?

  • I have a spritz bottle full of isopropyl alcohol, and I have a paper towel.

  • So just using some isopropyl alcohol and a little flux brush, let's give it a good clean.

  • The aerator and screen were removed, and the faucet was wiped down with an isopropyl alcohol swab for sterilization.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Cleaning telephone mouthpieces with 70% isopropyl alcohol may be appropriate (Ciragil, Gul, & Aral, 2005).

    Academic text (2009)

  • Topical rinses with dilute vinegar and/or isopropyl alcohol may mechanically clean and chemically disinfect the ear.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Before I could slather on epoxy, each layer had to be scrubbed with isopropyl alcohol.

Synonyms

rubbing alcohol
vsisopropyl alcohol
  • US
6 3.4

A liquid used on skin or surfaces to kill germs and clean

is the pure specific chemical used as solvent and antiseptic rather than a preparation
isopropanol
vsisopropyl alcohol
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A flammable alcohol used for cleaning and killing germs

is the common name used in ordinary contexts rather than the chemical term

Surface Forms

isopropyl alcohol singular
isopropyl alcohols plural

Morphology

isopropyl + alcohol

The noun phrase is compositionally built: 'isopropyl' modifies 'alcohol', so a learner who knows both constituents would infer it denotes a specific kind of alcohol (an alcohol containing an isopropyl group). Although 'isopropyl' is technical and its precise chemical properties (e.g., antiseptic use) require domain knowledge, the basic class-membership meaning is transparently derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Isopropyl alcohol gets its name from the small parts of the molecule: iso (a little branch), propyl (a short three-link chain), and alcohol (the kind of chemical that cleans and dries fast). So, because of that small 'shape' and the alcohol part, it works well as 'rubbing alcohol' — a quick cleaner and germ killer.