Main Entry: stea·ric acid

Pronunciation: \stē-ˈa-rik-, ˈstir-ik-\

Function: noun

Etymology: French stéarique, from Greek stear hard fat

Date: 1830

: a white crystalline fatty acid C₁₈H₃₆O₂ obtained by saponifying tallow or other hard fats containing stearin; also : a commercial mixture of stearic and palmitic acids