abietic acid

noun

ab·​i·​et·​ic acid

¦abē¦etik-

: a colorless crystalline tricyclic acid C₁₉H₂₉COOH with two double bonds that constitutes the major component of rosin, that is formed from certain other resin acids by heat and acid treatment, and that is used chiefly in making esters for plasticizers

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French (acide) abiétique, from abiet- (borrowed from Latin abiet-, abiēs "silver fir") + -ique -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

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