Pyruvic Acid Definition

pī-ro͝ovĭk, pĭ-

noun

A colorless, liquid or crystalline organic acid, CH₃COCOOH, produced by the oxidation of lactic acid: it is a key intermediate in protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism in the cell and in the production of ATP.

Webster's New World

Origin of Pyruvic Acid

pyr(o)– Latin ūva grape (from its being produced by the dry distillation of racemic acid, originally derived from grapes) –ic

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition