linoleic

English

Etymology

From Latin linum (“flax”) +‎ oleic acid, for saturating its omega-6 double bond produces oleic acid.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌlɪn.ə(ʊ)ˈliː.ɪk/, /ˌlɪn.ə(ʊ)ˈleɪ.ɪk/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌlɪn.əˈliː.ɪk/, /ˌlɪn.əˈleɪ.ɪk/
• Rhymes: -iːɪk, -eɪɪk

Adjective

linoleic (not comparable)

1. Of, or derived from linoleum, or linseed oil
2. (chemistry) designating an organic fatty acid, a thin yellow oil, found combined as an ester of glycerol in oils of linseed, poppy, hemp, and certain nuts; it is a polyunsaturated fatty acid with 18 carbon atoms and two double bonds.

Derived terms

• linoleic acid

Related terms

• oleic acid
• linolenic acid

Descendants

• → Portuguese: linoleico

References

• “linoleic”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “linoleic”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.