abietic acid

[ ab-ee-et-ik, ab- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a yellow, crystalline, water-insoluble acid, C 20 H 30 O 2 , obtained from the resin of a species of pine: used chiefly in driers, varnishes, and soaps.

abietic acid

/ ˌæbɪˈɛtɪk /

noun

1. a yellowish powder occurring naturally as a constituent of rosin and used in lacquers, varnishes, and soap. Formula: C 19 H 29 COOH; melting pt: 173°C

Word History and Origins

Origin of abietic acid¹

1860–65; < Latin abiet- (stem of abiēs ) fir + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of abietic acid¹

C19: abietic, from Latin abiēt-, from abiēs silver fir (the acid originally being extracted from the resin)

Example Sentences

The constituents of rosin are chiefly (80-90%) abietic acid or its anhydride together with pinic and sylvic acids.

From Project Gutenberg