gibberellic acid

[ jib-uh-rel-ik, jib- ]

noun

1. a gibberellin C 18 H 21 O 4 COOH, produced as a metabolite by the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi, used as a stimulator of plant growth.

gibberellic acid

/ ˌdʒɪbəˈrɛlɪk /

noun

1. a slightly soluble crystalline plant hormone first isolated from the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi : a gibberellin. Formula: C 19 H 22 O 6

gibberellic acid

/ jĭb′ə-rĕl′ĭk /

1. A plant hormone that promotes growth and that is the most important of the gibberellins. It is used commercially to break dormancy of plants, promote germination, and increase or retard the development of fruit. Gibberellic acid is also a metabolic byproduct of certain fungi. Chemical formula: C 19 H 22 O 6 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of gibberellic acid¹

1950–55; < New Latin Gibberell ( a ) ( Latin gibber hump + -ella -ella ) + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of gibberellic acid¹

C20: from New Latin Gibberella, literally: a little hump, from Latin gibber hump + -ic

Example Sentences

“He wrote numerous articles about gibberellic acid and the growth patterns of fruit plants,” she said.

From New York Times