tartaric acid

2 definitions found

tartaric acid - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Tartaric \Tar*tar"ic\, a. (Chem.)
     Of or pertaining to tartar; derived from, or resembling,
     tartar.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Tartaric acid. (a) An acid widely diffused throughout the
        vegetable kingdom, as in grapes, mountain-ash berries,
        etc., and obtained from tartar as a white crystalline
        substance, C2H2(OH)2.(CO2H)2, having a strong pure acid
        taste. It is used in medicine, in dyeing, calico printing,
        photography, etc., and also as a substitute for lemon
        juice. Called also dextro-tartaric acid.
     (b) By extension, any one of the series of isomeric acids
         (racemic acid, levotartaric acid, inactive tartaric acid)
         of which tartaric acid proper is the type.
         [1913 Webster]

tartaric acid - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  tartaric acid
      n 1: an acid found in many fruits; used in soft drinks and
           confectionery and baking powder