arachidonic acid

ar·a·chi·don·ic acid

 (ăr′ə-kĭ-dŏn′ĭk)

n.

An unsaturated fatty acid, C₂₀H₃₂O₂, present in animal fats and synthesized by the body from linoleic acid, that is essential in human nutrition and is a precursor in the biosynthesis of some prostaglandins.

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[From arachidic, of the groundnut, from New Latin Arachis, groundnut genus, from Greek arakis, arakid-, diminutive of arakos, a leguminous plant.]

arachidonic acid

(ˌærəkəˈdɒnɪk)

n

(Biochemistry) a fatty acid occurring in animal cells: the metabolic precursor of several groups of biologically active substances, including prostaglandins