A component of the hydrophilic ointment ingredient known as emulsifying wax; a mixture of solid aliphatic alcohols consisting chiefly of stearyl and cetyl alcohols.
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[NF] a mixture of stearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol, used as an emulsifier; the official preparation consists of at least 40 per cent stearyl alcohol and at least 90 per cent of stearyl and cetyl alcohols combined.Medical dictionary. 2011.