peroxyacid

[ puh-rok-see-as-id ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. an acid derived from hydrogen peroxide and containing the –O–O– group, as peroxysulfuric acid, H 2 S 2 O 8 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of peroxyacid¹

First recorded in 1960–65; peroxy- + acid

Example Sentences

Take the humble glow stick, which mixes two precursors to generate a peroxyacid ester that jolts a dye into emitting light.

From Nature