hircic acid

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word hircic acid. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word hircic acid, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say hircic acid in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word hircic acid you have here. The definition of the word hircic acid will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofhircic acid, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

Named by Michel Eugène Chevreul, a French chemist. First use in 1823

Noun

hircic acid (uncountable)

  1. (historical) A type of oily acid (a mixture rich in capric- and caproic acids) made from mutton suet, having an odor similar to that of a goat, used in the early days of the production of soap, and in soup-making.
    • 1824, Walter Scott, The Edinburgh Annual Register - 1823:
      Hircic acid is the odorous principle of soap, made of mutton suet, and it exists in so very small quantity....Its smell resembles that of a goat

Synonyms