ETYM Abbrev. from alcohol dehydrogenatum, alcohol deprived of its hydrogen.
Any of a group of organic chemical compounds prepared by oxidation of primary alcohols, so that the OH (hydroxyl) group loses its hydrogen to give an oxygen joined by a double bond to a carbon atom (the aldehyde group, with the formula CHO).
The name is made up from alcohol dehydrogenation—that is, alcohol from which hydrogen has been removed. Aldehydes are usually liquids and include methanal, ethanal, benzaldehyde, formaldehyde, and citral.
Any of a class of highly reactive chemical compounds; used in making resins and dyes and organic acids.