hydroxybutyric acid

noun

hy·​droxy·​bu·​tyr·​ic acid hī-ˌdräk-sē-byu̇-ˈtir-ik- How to pronounce hydroxybutyric acid (audio)
: a hydroxy derivative C4H8O3 of butyric acid that is excreted in increased quantities in the urine in diabetes

Examples of hydroxybutyric acid in a Sentence

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The new indictment alleges that from 2011 to 2019 — a far longer period than was previously alleged by federal prosecutors — Buck used his apartment on Laurel Avenue in West Hollywood to distribute methamphetamine, clonazepam and the party drug GHB, gamma hydroxybutyric acid. — Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2020 Other drugs used are Ketamine and GHB, or Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, according to the community alert. — Matt Yan, BostonGlobe.com, 30 May 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydroxybutyric acid was in 1879

Rhymes for hydroxybutyric acid

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Cite this Entry

“Hydroxybutyric acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydroxybutyric%20acid. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

hydroxybutyric acid

noun
hy·​droxy·​bu·​tyr·​ic acid -byu̇-ˌtir-ik- How to pronounce hydroxybutyric acid (audio)
variants or β-hydroxybutyric acid
ˈbāt-ə-, chiefly British ˈbēt-ə-
: a derivative C4H8O3 of butyric acid that is excreted in urine in increased quantities in diabetes

called also oxybutyric acid

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