Skip to main content
caffeic

caffeic

1 8.6
Relating to coffee or an acid in coffee
  • adjective
  • /kæˈfiːɪk/
  • Specialized
: cafeico
  • The caffeic acid in coffee has many health benefits.

Examples

  • Researchers are studying the health effects of caffeic compounds found in coffee beans.

  • Some fruits naturally contain caffeic acid, which may have antioxidant properties.

  • The laboratory measured the caffeic acid levels in several herbal teas.

  • Some studies show that caffeic compounds can reduce inflammation.

  • Researchers are studying the health effects of caffeic compounds found in coffee beans.

  • Some fruits naturally contain caffeic acid, which may have antioxidant properties.

  • The caffeic acid in coffee has many health benefits.

Surface Forms

caffeic positive

Morphology

caffeic = coffee (semi-transparent) = caffe + ic

The adjective is formed by the productive suffix '-ic' meaning 'relating to', but the root appears as 'caffe-' (not the modern form 'coffee') and the term is technical, so learners may not immediately link it to 'coffee'.

Etymology

Caffeic comes from the common word coffee, with the ending -ic meaning 'relating to'. It was named after caffeic acid, which was first found in coffee beans and in many plants, so caffeic means 'relating to' coffee or to that acid.