barbituric acid Hear it!

barbituric acid definition

bar·bi·tu·ric acid (bär′bə tyo̵or′ik, -to̵or′-)

a white, odorless, crystalline acid, CHON, used in the manufacture of sedatives and hypnotics, in making dyes, and as a polymerization catalyst

Etymology: < Ger barbitursäure (< ModL Usnea barbata, lit., bearded moss + ursäure, a ureide of acid character < urea, urea + säure, acid) + -ic

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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