trichloroacetic acid
noun
tri·chlo·ro·ace·tic acid ˌtrī-ˌklȯr-ō-ə-ˈsē-tik- 
variants or less commonly trichloracetic acid
ˌtrī-ˌklȯr-ə-ˈsē-tik-
: a strong vesicant pungent acid C2Cl3HO2 used in weed control and in medicine as a caustic and astringent
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Common active ingredients in pro-grade peels include glycolic, mandelic, salicylic, and lactic acids, along with trichloroacetic acid. 
Janell M. Hickman, SELF, 27 July 2022 Jessner, which unclogs pores with equal parts salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol, an antiseptic exfoliant, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA), which helps brighten dull skin, are the most popular options. Kaitlin Clark, Allure, 1 Nov. 2021 Medium depth peels are most commonly performed with glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), or Jessner’s solution, which is a mixture of lactic acid, salicylic acid, and an antiseptic exfoliant. Julie Ricevuto, Allure, 19 Nov. 2020 For up to medium-depth spot removal, chemical peels including trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or glycolic acid superficially injure the skin to provoke a wound-healing response that expels dark pigment. Mackenzie Wagoner, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2020
Janell M. Hickman, SELF, 27 July 2022 Jessner, which unclogs pores with equal parts salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol, an antiseptic exfoliant, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA), which helps brighten dull skin, are the most popular options. Kaitlin Clark, Allure, 1 Nov. 2021 Medium depth peels are most commonly performed with glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), or Jessner’s solution, which is a mixture of lactic acid, salicylic acid, and an antiseptic exfoliant. Julie Ricevuto, Allure, 19 Nov. 2020 For up to medium-depth spot removal, chemical peels including trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or glycolic acid superficially injure the skin to provoke a wound-healing response that expels dark pigment. Mackenzie Wagoner, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2020 Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
1885, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
trichloroacetic acid
noun
tri·chlo·ro·ace·tic acid ˌtrī-ˌklōr-ō-ə-ˌsēt-ik-, -ˌklȯr-
variants also trichloracetic acid
-ˌklōr-ə-ˌsēt-ik-
: a strong vesicant pungent acid C2Cl3HO2 made usually by chlorinating acetic acid or by oxidizing chloral and used in medicine as a caustic and astringent compare monochloroacetic acid