lauric acid

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, water-insoluble powder, C 12 H 24 O 2 , a fatty acid occurring as the glyceride in many vegetable fats, especially coconut oil and laurel oil: used chiefly in the manufacture of soaps, detergents, cosmetics, and lauryl alcohol.

lauric acid

/ ˈlɒ-; ˈlɔːrɪk /

noun

1. another name for dodecanoic acid

lauric acid

/ lôr′ĭk /

1. A saturated fatty acid obtained chiefly from coconut and laurel oils and used in making soaps, cosmetics, esters, and lauryl alcohol. It is combustible and forms colorless needles that have waxy odor and taste. Chemical formula: C 12 H 24 O 2 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of lauric acid¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Word History and Origins

Origin of lauric acid¹

C19: from Latin laurus laurel; from its occurrence in the berries of the laurel ( Laurus nobilis )

Example Sentences

Laurin (Trilaurin) may be prepared synthetically from glycerol and lauric acid.

From Project Gutenberg