phocenic, a. Chem.
(fəʊˈsiːnɪk, -ˈsɛnɪk)
[For *phocænic, f. Zool. L. Phōcæna (see prec.) + -ic.]
Applied to an acid obtained by Chevreul in 1817, from porpoise- or dolphin-oil, originally called delphinic, and subsequently identified with valeric acid, (CH3)2.C2H3.CO2H. So ˈphocenate, a salt of phocenic acid; ˈphocenil, ˈphocenin, glyceryl valerate, or trivalerin, C3H5(C5H9O2)3 = delphin n. 2.
| 1836–9 Todd Cycl. Anat. II. 234/2 When this oil is saponified, it yields..a peculiar volatile acid..termed phocenic acid. Ibid., The phocenate of baryta forms efflorescent prismatic crystals. Ibid., Phocenine is a peculiar fatty substance contained in the oil of certain species of porpoise. c 1865 Letheby in Circ. Sc. I. 99/1 Many of the animal oils..contain a volatile fat, which gives them their peculiar odour. In..whale and seal oils, this is called phocenine. |