myristic acid

[ muh-ris-tik ]

nounChemistry.
  1. an oily, white crystalline compound, C14H28O2, insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and ether: used in soaps, cosmetics, and in the synthesis of esters for flavors and perfumes.

Origin of myristic acid

1
1840–50; <New Latin Myristica the nutmeg genus (the acid is a constituent of oil derived from nutmeg and related plants) <Greek myristikḗ, feminine of myristikós fragrant, akin to mýron perfume, unguent

Words Nearby myristic acid

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How to use myristic acid in a sentence

  • The greater part of the product consists of the inodorous myristic acid, the chief odour-bearing constituent being irone.