abietic acid

[ ab-ee-et-ik, ab- ]
/ ˈæb iˈɛt ɪk, ˌæb- /

noun Chemistry.

a yellow, crystalline, water-insoluble acid, C20H30O2, obtained from the resin of a species of pine: used chiefly in driers, varnishes, and soaps.

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earnest
full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.
a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.
urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.
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Also called sylvic acid.

Origin of abietic acid

1860–65; < Latin abiet- (stem of abiēs) fir + -ic

Words nearby abietic acid

abiding, abidjan, abie, abient, abietate, abietic acid, abigail, abihu, abilene, ability, ability grouping
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British Dictionary definitions for abietic acid

abietic acid
/ (ˌæbɪˈɛtɪk) /

noun

a yellowish powder occurring naturally as a constituent of rosin and used in lacquers, varnishes, and soap. Formula: C 19 H 29 COOH; melting pt: 173°C

Word Origin for abietic acid

C19: abietic, from Latin abiēt-, from abiēs silver fir (the acid originally being extracted from the resin)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012