: a liquid fatty acid C6H12O2 that is found as a glycerol ester in fats and oils or made synthetically and used in pharmaceuticals and flavorings

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Latin capr-, caper

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of caproic acid was in 1830

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Caproic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caproic%20acid. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

caproic acid

noun
: a liquid fatty acid C6H12O2 that is found as a glycerol ester in fats and oils or made synthetically and used in pharmaceuticals and flavors

called also hexanoic acid

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