margaric acid

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, crystalline, water-insoluble, fatty acid, C 1 7 H 3 4 O 2 , resembling stearic acid, obtained from lichens or synthetically.

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margaric acid British  

noun

1. another name for heptadecanoic acid

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Etymology

Origin of margaric acid

1810–20; < Greek márgar ( on ) pearl (probably back formation from margarī́tēs; see margarite) + -ic

Example Sentences

It is a crystalline solid less fusible than margaric acid, but closely resembling it in its other properties.

From Elements of Agricultural Chemistry by Anderson, Thomas

Margaric Acid is best obtained pure by boiling olive oil with an alkali until it is saponified, and decomposing the soap with an acid, expressing the margaric acid, which separates, and crystallising it from alcohol.

From Elements of Agricultural Chemistry by Anderson, Thomas