1855, "of or containing acryl," name of a radical from acrolein (1843), the name of a liquid in onions and garlic that makes eyes tear, from Latin acer "sharp" (see acrid) + olere "to smell" (see odor) + -in (see -ine(2)). With adjectival suffix + -ic. Modern senses often short for acrylic fiber, acrylic resin, etc.