a colorless, crystalline, water-soluble vitamin, CHO, found in many foods, esp. citrus fruits, vegetables, and rose hips, and also made synthetically; vitamin C: it is required for proper nutrition and metabolism, and a deficiency produces scurvy
Origin:
a- + scorb(utic) + -ic
See ascorbic acid in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A white, crystalline vitamin, C6H8O6, found in citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, and leafy green vegetables and used to prevent scurvy. Also called vitamin C.