glycolic acid
or glycollic acid
noun
a colorless, crystalline, water-soluble powder, C2H4O3, that is a major substrate for photorespiration in plants: used chiefly for textile printing and dyeing and in pesticides.
Also called
hydroxyacetic acid.
Origin of glycolic acid
First recorded in 1850–55
Words nearby glycolic acid
glycogenous,
glycol,
glycolaldehyde,
glycolate,
glycolic,
glycolic acid,
glycolic aciduria,
glycolipid,
glycolyl,
glycolysis,
glycolytic
British Dictionary definitions for glycolic acid
glycolic acid
noun
a colourless crystalline soluble hygroscopic compound found in sugar cane and sugar beet: used in tanning and in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, adhesives, and plasticizers; hydroxyacetic acid. Formula: CH 2 (OH)COOH
Medical definitions for glycolic acid
glycolic acid
[ glī-kŏl′ĭk ]
n.
A colorless crystalline compound found in sugar beets, cane sugar, and unripe grapes that is used in pharmaceuticals and pesticides.
Scientific definitions for glycolic acid
glycolic acid
[ glī-kŏl′ĭk ]
A colorless crystalline compound that occurs naturally in sugar beets and sugarcane. It is used in leather dyeing and tanning, and in making pharmaceuticals, pesticides, adhesives, and plasticizers. Chemical formula: C2H4O3.