ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

American

[eth-uh-leen-dahy-uh-meen-te-truh-uh-see-tik, -set-ik, -min-, eth-uh-leen-dahy-uh-meen-te-truh-uh-see-tik, -set-ik, -min-] / ˈɛθ ə linˈdaɪ ə minˈtɛ trə əˈsi tɪk, -ˈsɛt ɪk, -mɪn-, ˌɛθ ə linˌdaɪ ə minˌtɛ trə əˈsi tɪk, -ˈsɛt ɪk, -mɪn- /

noun

Chemistry, Pharmacology.

EDTA.

Etymology

Origin of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

First recorded in 1940–45; ethylene + diamine + tetra- + acetic acid

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Builders to be avoided include phosphates, which contribute to the deoxygenation of marine environments, and EDTA, or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, which can bind to heavy metals and damage both people and aquatic animals.

From Washington Post

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023