fatty acid

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of aliphatic acids, especially palmitic, stearic, or oleic acid, consisting of a long hydrocarbon chain ending in a carboxyl group that bonds to glycerol to form a fat.

fatty acid

noun

1. any of a class of aliphatic carboxylic acids, such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid, that form part of a lipid molecule
2. another name for carboxylic acid, used esp of a naturally occurring one

fatty acid

/ făt′ē /

1. Any of a large group of organic acids, especially those found in animal and vegetable fats and oils. Fatty acids are mainly composed of long chains of hydrocarbons ending in a carboxyl group. A fatty acid is saturated when the bonds between carbon atoms are all single bonds. It is unsaturated when any of these bonds is a double bond.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fatty acid¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

This at-home blood test kit gives a full reading of antioxidant, fatty acid, or vitamin panels.

From The Daily Beast

A white precipitate was formed and a strong fatty acid odor was developed.

From Project Gutenberg

A portion of the precipitate supposed to be a fatty acid was ignited in a porcelain spoon.

From Project Gutenberg

The main solution was filtered and the precipitate supposed to be a fatty acid was saved.

From Project Gutenberg

It must be broken up into a fatty acid and glycerol, and saponified before it can be absorbed.

From Project Gutenberg

This is true of the fatty acid series, and the corresponding ketones and alcohols, and also of the succinic acid series.

From Project Gutenberg