ascorbic acid

American  

[uh-skawr-bik as-id] / əˈskɔr bɪk ˈæs ɪd /

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.

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ascorbic acid British  

/ 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

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ascorbic acid Scientific  

/ ə-skôr′bĭk /

1. See vitamin C

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ascorbic acid Cultural  

1. A form of vitamin C.

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Etymology

Origin of ascorbic acid

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

Example Sentences

The analysis focused on 17 individual preservatives, including citric acid, lecithins, total sulfites, ascorbic acid, sodium nitrite, potassium sorbate, sodium erythorbate, sodium ascorbate, potassium metabisulfite, and potassium nitrate.

From Science Daily • Jan. 27, 2026

“Reindeer eyes are full of ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, and vitamin C is just terrific for repairing damaged cells,” he said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 22, 2023

A specific lot labeled L200183 tested high in impurity and low in the inactive ingredient ascorbic acid, commonly called Vitamin C.

From Washington Times • Aug. 3, 2023

A: We’ve lost the ability to produce vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, and liking acidic foods might be a way for us and other primate species to be reminded to ingest it.

From Science Magazine • Feb. 11, 2022

Scurvy, the depletion of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, had always been a problem on long voyages and had contributed to Captain Scott’s death en route from the South Pole.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong