hydroxy acid


noun

an organic acid containing both a carboxyl and a hydroxyl group.
any of a class of organic acids containing a hydroxyl group and showing properties of both an alcohol and an acid.

Origin of hydroxy acid

First recorded in 1895–1900

British Dictionary definitions for hydroxy acid

hydroxy acid

noun

any acid, such as sulphuric acid, containing hydroxyl groups in its molecules
any of a class of carboxylic acids that contain both a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group in their molecules