nordihydroguaiaretic acid

noun

nor·​di·​hy·​dro·​guai·​a·​ret·​ic acid

¦nȯ(r)ˌdī¦hīdrō¦g(w)īə¦retik-

: a crystalline derivative [(HO)₂C₆H₃CH₂CH(CH₃)−]₂ of pyrocatechol obtained especially from the creosote bush or made synthetically and used in trace amounts as an antioxidant to prevent rancidity of lard and other fats or oils

—abbreviation NDGA

Word History

Etymology

nordihydroguaiaretic from nor- + dihydr- + guaiaretic (in guaiaretic acid C₂₀H₂₄O₄) (International Scientific Vocabulary guaia- —from New Latin Guaiacum —+ ret- —from Greek rhētinē resin—+ -ic)

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