myristic acid
[muh-ris-tik]
- 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.
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Origin of myristic acid
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
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018