butyric acid: Meaning and Definition of

butyr'ic ac'id

Pronunciation: [key]
— Chem. Chem.
  1. either of two isomeric acids having the formula CHO, esp. a rancid liquid occurring chiefly in spoiled butter, whose esters are used as flavorings. Also called
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.