citraconic acid

noun

cit·​ra·​con·​ic acid
¦si‧trə¦känik-
: a white crystalline deliquescent dicarboxylic acid CH3C(COOH)=CHCOOH obtained by distillation of citric acid; methyl-maleic acid

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary citr- + aconic; probably originally formed as French citraconique

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of citraconic acid was in 1840

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near citraconic acid

Cite this Entry

“Citraconic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citraconic%20acid. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!