glycolic acid

glycolic acid or glycollic acid Word Origin noun

1. a colorless, crystalline, water-soluble powder, C2H4O3, that is a major substrate for photorespiration in plants: used chiefly for textile printing and dyeing and in pesticides.

Origin of glycolic acid First recorded in 1850–55 Also called hydroxyacetic acid. British Dictionary definitions for glycolic acid glycolic acid noun

1. a colourless crystalline soluble hygroscopic compound found in sugar cane and sugar beet: used in tanning and in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, adhesives, and plasticizers; hydroxyacetic acid. Formula: CH 2 (OH)COOH

glycolic acid in Medicine glycolic acid [glī-kŏl′ĭk] n.

1. A colorless crystalline compound found in sugar beets, cane sugar, and unripe grapes that is used in pharmaceuticals and pesticides.

glycolic acid in Science glycolic acid [glī-kŏl′ĭk]

1. A colorless crystalline compound that occurs naturally in sugar beets and sugarcane. It is used in leather dyeing and tanning, and in making pharmaceuticals, pesticides, adhesives, and plasticizers. Chemical formula: C2H4O3.