oleic acid: Meaning and Definition of

ole'ic ac'id

Pronunciation: [key]
— Chem. Chem.
  1. a colorless, odorless, liquid, water-insoluble, unsaturated acid, CHO, obtained from animal tallow and natural vegetable oils, in which it occurs as the glycerol ester: used chiefly in the manufacture of soap, commercial oleates, and cosmetics.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.