Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

benzilic acid

noun
ben·​zil·​ic acid | \(ˈ)ben-¦zi-lik\

Definition of benzilic acid 

: a white crystalline acid (C6H5)2C(OH)COOH obtained by warming benzil with alcohol and alkali; diphenyl-glycolic acid

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for benzilic acid

French benzilique, from benzil + -ique -ic

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about benzilic acid

Share benzilic acid

Statistics for benzilic acid

Look-up Popularity

Comments on benzilic acid

What made you want to look up benzilic acid? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

perennial

living or existing for a long time

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Late Autumn 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

  • frosted-autumn-leaves
  • Which is a synonym of yahoo?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games