phthalic anhydride: Meaning and Definition of

phthal'ic anhy'dride

Pronunciation: [key]
— Chem. Chem.
  1. a white, crystalline, slightly water-soluble solid, CHO, used chiefly in the manufacture of dyes, alkyd resins, and plasticizers.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.