ascorbic acid

[uh-skawr-bik as-id]

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, water-soluble vitamin, C 6 H 8 O 6 , occurring naturally in citrus fruits, green vegetables, etc., and often produced synthetically, essential for normal metabolism: used in the prevention and treatment of scurvy, and in wound-healing and tissue repair.

ascorbic acid

/ əˈskɔːbɪk /

noun

1. Also called: vitamin C. a white crystalline vitamin present in plants, esp citrus fruits, tomatoes, and green vegetables. A deficiency in the diet of man leads to scurvy. Formula: C 6 H 8 O 6

ascorbic acid

1. See vitamin C

ascorbic acid

1. A form of vitamin C.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ascorbic acid¹

First recorded in 1930–35; a- ⁶ + scorb(ut)ic ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ascorbic acid¹

C20 ascorbic from _a- ¹ + _scorb ( _ut ) _ic