caproic, a. Chem.
(kəˈprəʊɪk)
[f. L. caper, capr- goat (from its smell) + -oic, -ic; in form purposely varied from capric, with which it is associated. Capronic was another form used by some.]
1. caproic acid: a peculiar acid found along with the capric and butyric acids in butter, etc.; chemically also called normal caproic or pentylformic acid; this and iso-caproic or isopentylformic acid being forms of the hexoic acids (C6H12O2), the monatomic monobasic or fatty acids of the hexyl series.
| 1839–47 Todd Cycl. Anat. III. 359/1 The butyric, caproic, and capric acids. 1873 Watts Fownes' Chem. 686 Caproic Acid is produced by the action of alkalis on amyl cyanide. |
2. caproic series: the series of chemical compounds allied to caproic acid, or containing the radical caproyl; as caproic alcohol, caproic aldehyde, caproic ethers, etc.
From same source ˈcaproate, a salt of caproic acid. ˈcaproone, the ketone of the caproic series. ˈcaproyl or ˈcapronyl, C6H11O, the radical of the caproic series; whence ˈcaproylaˌmine, etc.
| 1845 Day tr. Simon's Anim. Chem. I. 76 Nearly the whole of the caproate salt is deposited. 1873 Watts Fownes' Chem. 687 The metallic caproates are soluble and crystallisable. |