a crystalline substance, CHNO, found in green leaves and in certain other plant and animal tissues, exhibiting vitamin B activity: used in medicine, esp. for treating certain anemias
Origin:
< L folium, a leaf (see foliate) + -ic
See folic acid in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A yellowish-orange compound, C19H19N7O6, of the vitamin B complex group, occurring in green plants, fresh fruit, liver, and yeast. Also called folacin, folate, vitamin Bc.