stearic

[ stee-ar-ik, steer-ik ]

/ stiˈær ɪk, ˈstɪər ɪk /

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adjective

of or relating to suet or fat.

of or derived from stearic acid.

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Origin of stearic

First recorded in 1825–35; stear- + -ic

Words nearby stearic

steamy, Ste. Anne de Beaupré, steapsin, stear-, stearate, stearic, stearic acid, stearin, stearo-, stearoptene, steatite

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use stearic in a sentence

The acids separated from it are known by the names of margaric, stearic, and oleic acids.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson
The pins for the Shawinigan line were boiled in stearic acid.
Electric Transmission of Water Power|Alton D. Adams
The stearine, of which factitious wax candles are made, consists of the stearic and margaric acids combined.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines|Andrew Ure
Stearic acid, prepared by the above process, contains combined water, from which it cannot be freed.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines|Andrew Ure

The preceding numbers will serve to regulate the manufacture of stearic acid for the purpose of making candles.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines|Andrew Ure

British Dictionary definitions for stearic

stearic

/ (stɪˈærɪk) /

adjective

of or relating to suet or fat

of, consisting of, containing, or derived from stearic acid

Word Origin for stearic

C19: from French stéarique, from Greek stear fat, tallow

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