tartaric acid

noun

tar·​tar·​ic acid (ˌ)tär-ˈter-ik- How to pronounce tartaric acid (audio)
(ˌ)tär-ˈta-rik-
: a strong dicarboxylic acid C4H6O6 of plant origin that occurs in various isomeric forms, is usually obtained from tartar, and is used especially in food and medicines, in photography, in wine making, and in making salts and esters

Examples of tartaric acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Half of the crystals were recognizably tartaric acid, an industrially useful salt that grew naturally on the walls of wine barrels. Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 6 Sep. 2023 Extracts of French oak, coffee, black pepper and cayenne imitate the effects of barrel aging, while tartaric acid, sea salt and wine tannins add the final touches. Dave McIntyre, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2024 The synthetic crystals were a mixture of the tartaric acid enantiomers because the boiling process allowed left- and right-handed versions to form in equal numbers. Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 6 Sep. 2023 In addition to the tartaric acid existing in grapes, winemakers may add more tartaric acid during the winemaking process if the acid is too low. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2023 The most prevalent is tartaric acid, which is naturally present in grapes in fairly high quantities. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2023 Ready to show the Mabie brothers what constructive clown rage looks like, Conklin bought an old covered wagon, a few mules, a bag of sugar, a jar of tartaric acid and one single, solitary lemon. Allison Robicelli, Washington Post, 21 June 2023 For instance, his Viognier — a grape typically ripened to excess to bring out its heavy aroma, then brought into line through the chemical addition of tartaric acid—is honey-hued with a lush, tropical nose, but is bracing and herbaceous on the palate. Boris Fishman, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2022 If eaten, the tartaric acid in grapes or raisins may cause acute kidney disease. Leticia Fanucchi, Discover Magazine, 29 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tartaric acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tartaric acid was in 1810

Dictionary Entries Near tartaric acid

Cite this Entry

“Tartaric acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tartaric%20acid. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

tartaric acid

noun
tar·​tar·​ic acid (ˌ)tär-ˌtar-ik- How to pronounce tartaric acid (audio)
: a strong dicarboxylic acid C4H6O6 of plant origin that occurs in three optically isomeric crystalline forms
especially : a dextrorotatory L-form of tartaric acid that is widely distributed in plants and especially in fruits (as grapes) both free and combined as salts and that is used chiefly in effervescent beverages and pharmaceutical preparations, in desserts and candies, in photography, in making salts and esters, and as a sequestering agent

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