Butyral
/ˈbjuːtɪræl/noun
A colorless liquid aldehyde used mainly in making resins and plasticizers.
Did you know?Butyral’s name ultimately comes from Greek *boutyron* meaning “butter,” the same root behind *butyric* acid—so a word tied to plastics and resins began with dairy.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
boutyron
“butter”
Late Latin
Latin
butyrum
“butter”
19th Century
Chemistry
butyr-
“a chemical root used in names of substances related to butyric acid”
Early 20th Century
English
butyral
“an aldehyde derived from butyl alcohol and used in chemistry”
Modern English
English
butyral
“a chemical compound used in resins and plastics”