margaric acid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialized / Technical
Quick answer
What does “margaric acid” mean?
A saturated fatty acid with seventeen carbon atoms, historically of interest in chemistry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A saturated fatty acid with seventeen carbon atoms, historically of interest in chemistry.
A crystalline fatty acid (heptadecanoic acid) found in some natural fats and oils, now a minor subject in lipid chemistry and biochemistry compared to more common fatty acids.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences; the term is identical and used identically in technical contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely technical/scientific; no connotative differences.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, limited to highly specialized literature.
Grammar
How to Use “margaric acid” in a Sentence
[Margaric acid] is a [saturated fatty acid].[Scientists] isolated [margaric acid] from [the fat].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “margaric acid” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The margaric acid content was negligible.
- A margaric acid derivative was synthesised.
American English
- The margaric acid content was negligible.
- A margaric acid derivative was synthesized.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in advanced chemistry, biochemistry, or food science papers discussing fatty acid composition or synthesis.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Primary context; used in chemical formulas, analytical reports on fats/oils, and specialised research.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “margaric acid”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “margaric acid”
- Misspelling as 'margarine acid'.
- Assuming it is a common or nutritionally significant fatty acid.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It occurs only in trace amounts in some animal fats and certain plant oils; it is not a nutritionally significant fatty acid.
The name comes from the Greek 'margarites', meaning pearl, because it forms pearly crystals.
Historically, yes, in name only. Early chemists thought it was a main component, but modern margarine contains virtually no margaric acid.
Almost exclusively in specialised chemical, biochemical, or lipid analysis literature, not in everyday language or general science.
A saturated fatty acid with seventeen carbon atoms, historically of interest in chemistry.
Margaric acid is usually specialized / technical in register.
Margaric acid: in British English it is pronounced /mɑːˌɡærɪk ˈæsɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɑːrˌɡærɪk ˈæsɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MARGARic acid forming pearly (like a MARGARet pearl) crystals.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable; the term is a literal chemical label.
Practice
Quiz
Margaric acid is best classified as: