acetone /as″ətōn/ , 1. a colorless, aromatic, volatile liquid ketone body found in small amounts in normal urine and in larger quantities in the urine of diabetics experiencing ketoacidosis or individuals experiencing starvation. It is one of the group of compounds called ketones. 2. a commercial preparation used to clean the skin before injections; prolonged exposure to the compound can be irritating. It also has many varied industrial uses. Also called 2-propanone.
