Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

lactide

noun
lac·​tide | \ˈlakˌtīd, -tə̇d\
plural -s

Definition of lactide 

1 : a crystalline dilactone C6H8O4 formed from two molecules of lactic acid by self-esterification

2 : a dilactone formed from an alpha-hydroxy acid other than lactic 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 lactide

International Scientific Vocabulary lact- + anhydride; probably originally formed in French

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about lactide

Statistics for lactide

Look-up Popularity

Comments on lactide

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

millefleur

having a pattern of small flowers

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Find the Cousins

  • a-large-tree-with-many-branches
  • Which pair shares a common word ancestor?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

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