anthranilate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “anthranilate” mean?
A salt or ester of anthranilic acid (an aromatic compound).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A salt or ester of anthranilic acid (an aromatic compound).
Primarily refers to chemical compounds derived from anthranilic acid, commonly used as intermediates in the synthesis of dyes, pharmaceuticals, perfumes, and flavourings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences; both use the same term.
Connotations
Neutral scientific term in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “anthranilate” in a Sentence
[Compound] anthranilate (e.g., methyl anthranilate)anthranilate of [Element/Radical] (archaic/formulaic)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anthranilate” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The anthranilate pathway is crucial for bacterial growth.
- They studied the anthranilate synthase mechanism.
American English
- The anthranilate pathway is critical for bacterial growth.
- They studied the anthranilate synthase mechanism.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in patents, product specifications, and supply chain discussions for chemical, fragrance, or agrochemical industries.
Academic
Used in research papers, textbooks, and lectures on organic chemistry, metabolic pathways (e.g., tryptophan biosynthesis), or natural product chemistry.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in laboratory reports, chemical manufacturing protocols, and flavour/fragrance formulation sheets.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anthranilate”
Strong
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anthranilate”
- Misspelling as 'anthranilite', 'anthranalate'.
- Using it as a mass noun in indefinite contexts (e.g., 'add some anthranilate' is vague; specify 'methyl anthranilate').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised technical term used almost exclusively in chemistry and related industries.
It would be extremely unusual and likely confusing unless you are speaking with a chemist or a perfumer about specific compounds.
Methyl anthranilate is a common example, used as a grape flavouring agent and a bird repellent.
In British English: /ˌanθrəˈnɪleɪt/. In American English: /ˌænθrəˈnɪleɪt/. The stress is on the third syllable ('nil').
A salt or ester of anthranilic acid (an aromatic compound).
Anthranilate is usually technical / scientific in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ANTHRAx' + 'NIL' (nothing) + 'ATE' (to eat). 'Anthrax ate nothing but an anthranilate compound' – a bizarre story to link to this chemical name.
Conceptual Metaphor
BUILDING BLOCK / PRECURSOR (e.g., Anthranilate is a precursor in the assembly line for making tryptophan).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'anthranilate' MOST commonly used?