gallic acid

noun

gal·​lic acid ˈga-lik- How to pronounce gallic acid (audio) ˈgȯ-lik- How to pronounce gallic acid (audio)
: a white crystalline acid C7H6O5 found widely in plants or combined in tannins and used especially in dyes and as a photographic developer

Examples of gallic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Key ingredients: Bisabolol, vitamin B12, gallic acid derivatives. — Denise Primbet, Glamour, 21 Feb. 2025 Sorghum Sorghum is a gluten-free grain that’s high in protein, magnesium, B vitamins, and several protective phenolic compounds such as ferulic acid, gallic acid, luteolin, and apigenin. — Jillian Kubala, Health, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French (acide) gallique, from galle gall entry 3 + -ique -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gallic acid was in 1788

Rhymes for gallic acid

See All Rhymes for gallic acid

Browse Nearby Words

gallic acid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gallic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gallic%20acid. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

gallic acid

noun
gal·​lic acid ˌgal-ik- How to pronounce gallic acid (audio) ˌgȯ-lik- How to pronounce gallic acid (audio)
: a white crystalline acid C7H6O5 found widely in plants or combined in tannins and used especially in dyes and writing ink and as a photographic developer

More from Merriam-Webster on gallic acid

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gallic acid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All