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oxalic acid

noun
ox·​al·​ic acid | \ (ËŒ)äk-ˈsa-lik- How to pronounce oxalic acid (audio) \

Definition of oxalic acid

: a poisonous strong acid (COOH)2 or H2C2O4 that occurs in various plants (such as spinach) as oxalates and is used especially as a bleaching or cleaning agent and as a chemical intermediate

Examples of oxalic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Its sour taste comes from oxalic acid, which also gives rhubarb its tartness. — Susan Barocas, sun-sentinel.com, "Why cold soups are really Jewish," 17 July 2019 Both sorrel and spinach also contain small, edible amounts of oxalic acid. — Terri Milligan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Are you a ’barbarian? Let rhubarb’s tart-sweet flavor shine in more than pie," 13 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxalic acid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of oxalic acid

1788, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for oxalic acid

French (acide) oxalique, from Latin oxalis

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More Definitions for oxalic acid

oxalic acid

noun
ox·​al·​ic acid | \ (ËŒ)äk-ËŒsal-ik- How to pronounce oxalic acid (audio) \

Medical Definition of oxalic acid

: a poisonous strong acid (COOH)2 or H2C2O4 that occurs in various plants as oxalates and is used especially as a bleaching or cleaning agent and as a chemical intermediate

More from Merriam-Webster on oxalic acid

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oxalic acid

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