lauric acid


noun Chemistry.

a white, crystalline, water-insoluble powder, C12H24O2, a fatty acid occurring as the glyceride in many vegetable fats, especially coconut oil and laurel oil: used chiefly in the manufacture of soaps, detergents, cosmetics, and lauryl alcohol.
Also called dodecanoic acid.

Origin of lauric acid

First recorded in 1870–75

British Dictionary definitions for lauric acid

lauric acid
/ (ˈlɔːrɪk, ˈlɒ-) /

noun

another name for dodecanoic acid

Word Origin for lauric acid

C19: from Latin laurus laurel; from its occurrence in the berries of the laurel ( Laurus nobilis)

Medical definitions for lauric acid

lauric acid
[ lôrĭk ]

n.

A fatty acid occurring in laurel, coconut, and palm oils.

Scientific definitions for lauric acid

lauric acid
[ lôrĭk ]

A saturated fatty acid obtained chiefly from coconut and laurel oils and used in making soaps, cosmetics, esters, and lauryl alcohol. It is combustible and forms colorless needles that have waxy odor and taste. Chemical formula: C12H24O2.