cholic acid

[ koh-lik, kol-ik ]

noun

1. Biochemistry. a bile acid, C 24 H 40 O 5 , related to the sex hormones and cholesterol.
2. the commercial form of this compound, obtained from beef bile, used chiefly in the manufacture of drugs and in research.

cholic acid

/ ˈkəʊlɪk /

noun

1. a crystalline insoluble acid present in bile: used as an emulsifying agent and an intermediate in the synthesis of organic compounds. Formula: C 24 H 40 O 5

Word History and Origins

Origin of cholic acid¹

1840–50; < Greek cholikós bilious ( chol ( ḗ ) bile + -ikos -ic ); chole-

Word History and Origins

Origin of cholic acid¹

C19: from Greek kholikos; see chole-