gibberellic acid

American  

[jib-uh-rel-ik, jib-] / ˈdʒɪb əˈrɛl ɪk, ˌdʒɪb- /

noun

1. a gibberellin C 18 H 21 O 4 COOH, produced as a metabolite by the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi, used as a stimulator of plant growth.

---

gibberellic acid British  

/ ˌdʒɪbəˈrɛlɪk /

noun

1. a slightly soluble crystalline plant hormone first isolated from the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi : a gibberellin. Formula: C 19 H 22 O 6

---

gibberellic acid Scientific  

/ jĭb′ə-rĕl′ĭk /

1. A plant hormone that promotes growth and that is the most important of the gibberellins. It is used commercially to break dormancy of plants, promote germination, and increase or retard the development of fruit. Gibberellic acid is also a metabolic byproduct of certain fungi. Chemical formula: C ₁₉ H ₂₂ O ₆ .

---

Etymology

Origin of gibberellic acid

1950–55; < New Latin Gibberell ( a ) ( Latin gibber hump + -ella -ella ) + -ic

Example Sentences

In particular, gibberellic acid, or GA, a natural hormone, stimulates both cell growth and cell elongation.

From Scientific American • Oct. 28, 2022

“He wrote numerous articles about gibberellic acid and the growth patterns of fruit plants,” she said.

From New York Times • Feb. 28, 2022

Thompson seedless grapes are routinely sprayed with a substance called gibberellic acid, which promotes cell growth and helps produce plumper fruit.

From Time Magazine Archive