any of a class of aliphatic carboxylic acids, such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid, that form part of a lipid molecule
2.
another name for carboxylic acid, used esp of a naturally occurring one
fatty acid in American English
any of a class of lipids consisting of various saturated or unsaturated, monobasic organic acids, generally R·COOH, usually in a straight chain: they occur naturally in the form of glycerol esters in animal or vegetable fats and oils
Word lists with
fatty acid
types of acid
All related terms of 'fatty acid'
trans-fatty acid
a polyunsaturated fatty acid that has been converted from the cis-form by hydrogenation: used in the manufacture of margarine
essential fatty acid
any fatty acid required by the body in manufacturing prostaglandins , found in such foods as oily fish and nuts
omega-3 fatty acid
an unsaturated fatty acid that occurs naturally in fish oil and is valuable in reducing blood-cholesterol levels
omega-3 (fatty acid)
a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid in fish oil , shellfish , soybeans, etc., linked to low cholesterol and low → LDL levels
trans fat
an unsaturated fatty acid which has been partially hydrogenated , used in foods to increase shelf life and maintain flavor