ascorbic acid
/əˌskɔːbɪk ˈasɪd
/noun [mass noun]
A vitamin found particularly in citrus fruits and green vegetables. It is essential in maintaining healthy connective tissue, and is also thought to act as an antioxidant. Severe deficiency causes scurvy. Also called vitamin C.
- A lactone; chemical formula: C6H8O6.
- The antioxidant ascorbic acid plays an essential role in defending against oxidant attack in the airways.
- Most animals can synthesize this vitamin in the liver, where glucose is converted to ascorbic acid.
Origin
1930s: from a-1 'without' + medieval Latin scorbutus 'scurvy' + -ic.