es·ter ( s t r)n. Any of a class of organic compounds corresponding to the inorganic salts and formed from an organic acid and an alcohol. [German, short for Essigäther : Essig, vinegar (from Middle High German ezzich, from Old High German ezz  h, from Latin ac tum; see ak- in Indo-European roots) + Äther, ether (from Latin aethr; see ether).] |
ester [ˈɛstə]
n
(Chemistry) Chem any of a class of compounds produced by reaction between acids and alcohols with the elimination of water. Esters with low molecular weights, such as ethyl acetate, are usually volatile fragrant liquids; fats are solid esters
[from German, probably a contraction of Essigäther acetic ether, from Essig vinegar (ultimately from Latin acētum) + Äther ether]
| ester (str) An organic compound formed when an acid and an alcohol combine and release water. Esters formed from carboxylic acids are the most common, and have the general formula RCOOR , where R and R are organic radicals. Esters formed from simple hydrocarbon groups are colorless, volatile liquids with pleasant aromas and create the fragrances and flavors of many flowers and fruits. They are also used as food flavorings. Larger esters, formed from long-chain carboxylic acids, commonly occur as animal and vegetable fats, oils, and waxes. Esters have a wide range of uses in industry. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | ester - formed by reaction between an acid and an alcohol with elimination of water citrate - a salt or ester of citric acid lactate - a salt or ester of lactic acid organic compound - any compound of carbon and another element or a radical banana oil - a liquid ester derived from amyl alcohol; has the odor of bananas cellulose ester - any ester of cellulose with an acid cyclohexanol phthalate - the cyclohexanol ester of phthalic acid ethyl acetate - a fragrant colorless flammable volatile liquid ester made from ethanol and acetic acid; used in flavorings and perfumes and as a solvent for plastics glyceryl ester - an ester of glycerol maleate - a salt or ester of maleic acid; used as a nontricyclic antidepressant drug for psychomotor activation nucleotide, base - a phosphoric ester of a nucleoside; the basic structural unit of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) polyester - a complex ester used for making fibers or resins or plastics or as a plasticizer urethane - an ester of carbamic acid |
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