barbituric acid

noun

bar·​bi·​tu·​ric acid ˌbär-bə-ˈt(y)u̇r-ik- 

: a synthetic crystalline acid C₄H₄N₂O₃ derived from pyrimidine

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of German Barbitursäure, irregular from the name Barbara + International Scientific Vocabulary uric + German Säure acid

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

barbituric acid

noun

bar·​bi·​tu·​ric acid ˌbär-bə-ˌt(y)u̇r-ik- 

: an organic acid used in making plastics and drugs

Medical Definition

barbituric acid

noun

bar·​bi·​tu·​ric acid ˌbär-bə-ˌt(y)u̇r-ik- 

: a synthetic crystalline acid C₄H₄N₂O₃ that is a derivative of pyrimidine

also : any of its acid derivatives of which some are used as hypnotics