noun
an organic compound usually formed as an intermediate product in the preparation of acetals from aldehydes or ketones
• Hypernyms: ↑organic compound
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\\| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ at hemi-+\ noun : any of a class of compounds characterized by the grouping >C(OH)(OR) and usually formed as intermediate products in the preparation of acetals from aldehydes or ketones
an aldose is a favorable compound for the study of hemiacetals — C.D.Hurd
— see glycoside, monosaccharide
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/hem'ee as"i tal'/, n.
any of the class of organic chemical compounds having the general formula RCH(OH)OR, where R is an organic group.
[1890-95; HEMI- + ACETAL]
Useful english dictionary. 2012.