bitartrate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “bitartrate” mean?
A salt or ester of tartaric acid containing the radical C4H5O6, specifically potassium hydrogen tartrate (cream of tartar).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A salt or ester of tartaric acid containing the radical C4H5O6, specifically potassium hydrogen tartrate (cream of tartar).
In pharmacology and chemistry, any salt of tartaric acid where one of the acidic hydrogens remains, often used as an acidulant in baking powder or as an active ingredient in certain medicinal preparations (e.g., cholinolytic agents).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. The compound 'cream of tartar' (potassium bitartrate) is more common in everyday contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
None beyond its technical/scientific domain.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to technical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “bitartrate” in a Sentence
X bitartrate (where X is a cation, e.g., potassium, sodium)bitartrate of YVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bitartrate” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The bitartrate formulation is more stable in this pH range.
- They analysed the bitartrate content of the wine sediment.
American English
- The bitartrate formulation is more stable in this pH range.
- They analyzed the bitartrate content of the wine sediment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in specifications for food additives or pharmaceutical raw materials.
Academic
Used in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, and food science textbooks and papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used. The common name 'cream of tartar' is used in baking.
Technical
Standard term in chemical formulations, pharmaceutical patents, and food ingredient lists.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bitartrate”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bitartrate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bitartrate”
- Misspelling as 'bitartarate'.
- Using 'bitartrate' to refer to neutral tartrate salts.
- Pronouncing the first syllable as /bɪ/ instead of /baɪ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Cream of tartar' is the common culinary name for a specific bitartrate: potassium bitartrate. So, cream of tartar is a bitartrate, but not all bitartrates are cream of tartar.
Potassium bitartrate occurs naturally in grapes and forms as a sediment (argol) in wine casks during fermentation. This is the primary commercial source.
Its main uses are: 1) As 'cream of tartar' in baking, to stabilise egg whites and act as a leavening acid. 2) In some medicinal preparations. 3) In cleaning mixtures (e.g., with vinegar).
Potassium bitartrate (cream of tartar) is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for consumption in normal food quantities. Other bitartrate salts have specific pharmacological effects and should only be used as directed.
A salt or ester of tartaric acid containing the radical C4H5O6, specifically potassium hydrogen tartrate (cream of tartar).
Bitartrate is usually technical/scientific in register.
Bitartrate: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪˈtɑːtreɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪˈtɑːrˌtreɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BI (two) + TARTRATE (from tartaric acid) → a tartrate with one hydrogen left (half-neutralised, hence 'bi-').
Conceptual Metaphor
None commonly associated.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is the term 'bitartrate' MOST likely to be used correctly?