maleic acid
[ muh-lee-ik ]
/ məˈli ɪk /
noun Chemistry.
a colorless, crystalline, water-soluble solid, C4H4O4, isomeric with fumaric acid, having an astringent, repulsive taste and faint acidulous odor: used in the manufacture of synthetic resins, the dyeing and finishing of textiles, and as a preservative for fats and oils.
Origin of maleic acid
Words nearby maleic acid
malefactress,
malefic,
maleficence,
maleficent,
malegaon,
maleic acid,
maleic anhydride,
maleic hydrazide,
malemute,
malenkov,
malentendu
British Dictionary definitions for maleic acid
maleic acid
/ (məˈleɪɪk) /
noun
a colourless soluble crystalline substance used to synthesize other compounds. Formula: HOOCCH:CHCOOH
Systematic name: cis-butanedioic acid
Word Origin for maleic acid
C19: from French
maléique, altered form of
malique; see
malic acid
Medical definitions for maleic acid
maleic acid
[ mə-lē′ĭk ]
n.
A colorless crystalline dibasic acid that is an isomer of fumaric acid and is used as an oil and fat preservative.
Scientific definitions for maleic acid
maleic acid
[ mə-lē′ĭk ]
A colorless crystalline acid used in textile processing and as an oil and fat preservative. Maleic acid is a geometric isomer of fumaric acid, having two carboxyl groups (COOH) on the same side of an ethylene chain. Chemical formula: C4H4O4.