phosphoenolpyruvic acid

noun

phos·​pho·​enol·​pyr·​uvic acid ˌfäs-ˌfō-ə-ˌnȯl-pī-ˈrü-vik- 

-ˌpī(-ə)r-ˈyü-vik-

: the phosphate H₂C=C(OPO₃H₂)COOH of the enol form of pyruvic acid that is formed as an intermediate in carbohydrate metabolism

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

phosphoenolpyruvic acid

noun

phos·​pho·​enol·​pyr·​uvic acid -pī-ˌrü-vik-, -ˌpī(ə)r-ˌyü-vik- 

: the phosphate H₂C=C(OPO₃H₂)COOH of the enol form of pyruvic acid that is formed as an intermediate in carbohydrate metabolism (as in the reversible dehydration of phosphoglyceric acid)

called also phosphopyruvic acid