Dictionary
glycolic acid
noun gly·col·ic acid \(ˌ)glī-ˈkä-lik-\
Definition of GLYCOLIC ACID
: an alpha hydroxy acid C2H4O3 found especially in unripe grapes and sugar beets and used especially in textile and leather processing and in skin-care treatments especially as an exfoliant
Variants of GLYCOLIC ACID
gly·col·ic acid or gly·col·lic acid \(ˌ)glī-ˈkä-lik-\
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of GLYCOLIC ACID
International Scientific Vocabulary glycol + 1-ic
First Known Use: 1852
Medical Dictionary
glycolic acid
noun
Medical Definition of GLYCOLIC ACID
: an alpha hydroxy acid C2H4O3 that is oxidized to glyoxylic acid in photosynthesis, is used as an agent to produce chemical peels in cutaneous rejuvenation treatments, and is the major toxic metabolite in ethylene glycol poisoning—called also hydroxyacetic acid
Variants of GLYCOLIC ACID
glycolic acid also glycollic acid
Learn More About GLYCOLIC ACID
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: glycolipidPrevious Word in the Dictionary: glycolAll Words Near: glycolic acid
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up glycolic acid? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).