stearic acid

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, waxlike, sparingly water-soluble, odorless solid, C 1 8 H 3 6 O 2 , the most common fatty acid, occurring as the glyceride in tallow and other animal fats and in some animal oils: used chiefly in the manufacture of soaps, stearates, candles, cosmetics, and in medicine in suppositories and pill coatings.

stearic acid

noun

1. See stearin
   a colourless odourless insoluble waxy carboxylic acid used for making candles and suppositories; octadecanoic acid. Formula: CH 3 (CH 2 ) 16 COOH See also stearin

stearic acid

/ stē-ăr′ĭk,stîr′ĭk /

1. A colorless, odorless, waxlike fatty acid occurring in animal and vegetable fats and used in making soaps, candles, lubricants, and other products. Chemical formula: C 18 H 36 O 2 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of stearic acid¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

The pins for the Shawinigan line were boiled in stearic acid.

From Project Gutenberg

Stearic acid, prepared by the above process, contains combined water, from which it cannot be freed.

From Project Gutenberg

The preceding numbers will serve to regulate the manufacture of stearic acid for the purpose of making candles.

From Project Gutenberg

This operation having been accomplished, the piston table is lowered, and the machine is ready to receive the stearic acid.

From Project Gutenberg

Concrete primed with an 8% solution of stearic acid and rosin dissolved in benzine.

From Project Gutenberg