alkanolamide

noun

al·​ka·​nol·​am·​ide ¦al-kə-ˌnȯl-¦a-ˌmīd 

-ˌnōl-,

-məd

plural alkanolamides

: a fatty acid used as a surfactant in some detergents

The facility produces next-generation specialty surfactant products including: phospholipids; surfactants based on fatty acid alkanolamides …

—Chemical Week, 8 Feb. 2006

Word History

Etymology

alkanol + amide

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

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