polyvinyl alcohol: Meaning and Definition of

pol'yvi'nyl al'cohol

Pronunciation: [key]
— Chem. Chem.
  1. a colorless, water-soluble, thermoplastic resin, derived by the hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate: used chiefly as an adhesive and as a sizing agent in the manufacture of textiles, paper, and plastics.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.