cholic acid [koh-lik, kol-ik] Word Origin noun
- Biochemistry. a bile acid, C24H40O5, related to the sex hormones and cholesterol.
- the commercial form of this compound, obtained from beef bile, used chiefly in the manufacture of drugs and in research.
Origin of cholic acid 1840–50; Greek cholikós bilious (chol(ḗ) bile + -ikos -ic); see chole- British Dictionary definitions for cholic acid cholic acid noun
- a crystalline insoluble acid present in bile: used as an emulsifying agent and an intermediate in the synthesis of organic compounds. Formula: C 24 H 40 O 5
Word Origin for cholic acid C19: from Greek kholikos; see chole- cholic acid in Medicine cholic acid n.
- An abundant crystalline bile acid derived from cholesterol.