Dictionary
cit'ric ac'id
a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, C
6H
8O
7·H
2O, a tribasic acid having a strong acidic taste, an intermediate in the metabolism of carbohydrates occurring in many fruits, esp. limes and lemons, obtained chiefly by fermentation of crude sugar or corn sugar: used chiefly in the flavoring of beverages, confections, and pharmaceuticals.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.