A straight-chain fatty acid or mixture of acids corresponding to melissyl alcohol, found in various plant and animal waxes; specifically either n-triacontanoic acid (CH₃(CH₂)₂₈COOH) or triacontane-1-carboxylic acid (CH₃(CH₂)₂₉COOH).
Origin
Mid 19th century.
Definition of melissic acid in US English:
melissic acid
noun
Chemistry
A straight-chain fatty acid or mixture of acids corresponding to melissyl alcohol, found in various plant and animal waxes; specifically either n-triacontanoic acid (CH₃(CH₂)₂₈COOH) or triacontane-1-carboxylic acid (CH₃(CH₂)₂₉COOH).