tartaric, a.1 Chem.
(tɑːˈtærɪk)
[f. tartar n.1 + -ic; in mod.L. tartaric-us, F. tartarique.]
Of the nature of, related to, or derived from tartar or argol. tartaric acid (formerly tartareous or tartarous acid), an organic acid, C4H6O6 = C4H2O2 + (OH)4, or CO2H·(CHOH)2·CO2H, of which there are five isomeric forms, differing in their optical properties, viz. dextrotartaric acid (dextrorotary), lævotartaric acid (lævorotary), paratartaric acid (distinctively called racemic acid), mesotartaric acid (optically inactive), and metatartaric acid; specifically, the first of these, a colourless crystalline compound, occurring largely in the vegetable kingdom, esp. in unripe grapes, and as a potassium salt in argol or tartar of wine, from which it is commercially prepared. So tartaric amide, tartaric anhydride, tartaric ether, an amide, anhydride, or ether of tartaric acid.
| 1790 Kerr Lavoisier's Elem. Chem. 190 Tables of the combinations of Oxygen with the compound radicals. Name of radical: Tartaric. Name of resulting acid (new nomencl.): Tartarous acid. Unknown till lately. 1794 G. Pearson tr. De Morveau, etc. Table Chem. Nomencl. 28 The radical Tartaric yields only the tartareous Acid in which the basis is conceived to predominate. 1810 Henry Elem. Chem. (1826) II. 227 The tartaric acid is generally obtained from the bi-tartrate of potassa (purified cream of tartar). 1813 Sir H. Davy Agric. Chem. (1814) 107 The tartaric acid may be obtained from the juice of mulberries and grapes. 1827 Faraday Chem. Manip. vi. 189 Tartaric acid or tartrates have an extraordinary power in rendering many metallic oxides soluble. 1876 Harley Mat. Med. (ed. 6) 729 Tartaric acid—the acid of tartar—was discovered by Scheele in 1770. |
| 1868 Watts Dict. Chem. V. 690 Tartaric Amides. Ibid. 691 Insoluble Tartaric Anhydride, C4H4O5. Ibid. 692 The acid tartaric ethers are formed by the direct action of tartaric acid on the alcohols. Ibid., Ethylic Tartrate, or Tartaric Ether, C8H14O6..is decomposed by sodium, with evolution of hydrogen. |