gallic acid


noun Chemistry.

a white or yellowish, crystalline, sparingly water-soluble solid, C7H6O5, obtained from nutgalls, used chiefly in tanning and in ink dyes.

Origin of gallic acid

First recorded in 1785–95, gallic acid is from the French word acide gallique

Words nearby gallic acid

British Dictionary definitions for gallic acid

gallic acid

noun

a colourless crystalline compound obtained from tannin: used as a tanning agent and in making inks, paper, and pyrogallol; 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid. Formula: C 6 H 2 (OH) 3 COOH

Word Origin for gallic acid

C18: from French gallique; see gall ³