salicylic acid

sal·i·cyl·ic acid

noun \ˌsal-ə-ˌsil-ik-\

Definition of SALICYLIC ACID

: a crystalline phenolic acid C₇H₆O₃ that is the ortho form of hydroxybenzoic acid and is used especially in making pharmaceuticals and dyes, as an antiseptic and disinfectant especially in treating skin diseases, as a keratolytic agent for skin exfoliation, and in the form of salts and other derivatives as an analgesic and antipyretic and in the treatment of rheumatism—see aspirin