oxalate

[ ok-suh-leyt ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any salt or ester of oxalic acid, occurring in plants, especially spinach, rhubarb, and certain other vegetables and nuts, and capable of forming an insoluble salt with calcium and interfering with its absorption by the body.

oxalate

/ ˈɒksəˌleɪt /

noun

1. a salt or ester of oxalic acid

oxalate

/ ŏk′sə-lāt′ /

1. A salt or ester of oxalic acid.

Other Words From

• super·oxa·late noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of oxalate¹

First recorded in 1785–85; oxal(ic) + -ate ²

Example Sentences

Chocolate is a source of oxalate which, along with calcium, is one of the main components of kidney stones.

From Salon

The results yield a surprise: "We found that part of the cadmium is stored in calcium oxalate crystals in roots and branches of the cacao plant, which was unexpected," explains Blommaert.

From Science Daily

Kidney stones are most commonly formed from calcium oxalate, which is a waste product produced by the body.

From Science Daily

The method takes advantage of arid-adapted plants that produce oxalates -- ions containing carbon and oxygen that might ring a bell if you're unlucky enough to suffer from kidney stones or gout.

From Science Daily

Chewing a portion of its stem can render someone temporarily but painfully speechless, as the calcium oxalate crystals in it can cause throat and mouth swelling.

From Seattle Times