Definition of phosphoric acid
1
: a syrupy or deliquescent tribasic acid H3PO4 used especially in preparing phosphates (as for fertilizers), in rust-proofing metals, and especially formerly as a flavoring in soft drinks
— called also orthophosphoric acid
2
: a compound (such as pyrophosphoric acid or metaphosphoric acid) consisting of phosphate groups linked directly to each other by oxygen
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for phosphoric acid
The first known use of phosphoric acid was in 1765
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