adipic acid

noun adip·ic acid \ ə-ˈdi-pik- \

Definition of adipic acid

: a white crystalline dicarboxylic acid C₆H₁₀O₄ formed by oxidation of various fats and also made synthetically for use especially in the manufacture of nylon

Origin and Etymology of adipic acid

borrowed from French (acide) adipique, from Latin adip-, adeps "fat" + French -ique ¹-ic — more at adip-

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First Known Use: 1839

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

adipic acid

noun adip·ic acid \ ə-ˈdip-ik- \

medical Definition of adipic acid

: a white crystalline dicarboxylic acid C₆H₁₀O₄ formed by oxidation of various fats and also made synthetically for use especially in the manufacture of nylon