definitions

racemic acid

noun Chemistry.

an isomeric modification of tartaric acid that is sometimes found in the juice of grapes in conjunction with the common dextrorotatory form and is optically inactive but can be separated into the two usual isomeric forms, dextrorotatory and levorotatory.

RELATED CONTENT

Y.E.S: These Words Are AcronymsMaybe you already knew RADAR actually stands for "radio detecting and ranging," but what about these other acronyms hiding in your everyday speech?
READ MORE
Famous Writers And Their Oddball RoutinesRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

Nearby words

racehorse, racemase, racemate, raceme, racemic, racemic acid, racemiform, racemism, racemization, racemize, racemose

Origin of racemic acid

First recorded in 1830–40
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for racemic acid

racemic acid

noun

the optically inactive form of tartaric acid that is sometimes found in grape juice
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for racemic acid

racemic acid

An optically inactive form of tartaric acid that can be separated into dextrorotatory and levorotatory components and is sometimes found in grape juice. Chemical formula: C4H6O6.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.