a white crystalline water-insoluble carboxylic acid used in making polyester resins such as Terylene; 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid. Formula: C6H4(COOH)2
Word origin
C20: from terebene + phthalic acid
terephthalic acid in American English
(ˌtɛrɛfˈθælɪk)
a white crystalline powder, C6H4(COOH)2, produced by the oxidation of certain xylene hydrocarbons and used in making plastics, polyester fiber, etc.