caproic acid

[ kuh-proh-ik ]
/ kəˈproʊ ɪk /

noun

an oily, colorless or yellow liquid, C6H12O2, with an odor like limburger cheese, usually obtained from fatty animal tissue or coconut oil, or synthesized: used chiefly in the manufacture of flavoring agents.
Also called hexanoic acid.

Origin of caproic acid

First recorded in 1830–40; alteration of capric acid

British Dictionary definitions for caproic acid

caproic acid
/ (kəˈprəʊɪk) /

noun

another name for hexanoic acid

Word Origin for caproic acid

C19: caproic, from Latin caper goat, alluding to its smell

Medical definitions for caproic acid

caproic acid
[ kə-prōĭk, kă- ]

n.

A liquid fatty acid found in animal fats and oils or synthesized and used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.