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Glite Dictionary
oxybutyric acid

oxybutyric acid

8.1
A chemical similar to butyric acid with an extra oxygen atom
  • noun
  • /ˌɑksɪˈbjuːtɪrɪk ˈæsɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ácido oxibutírico
  • The presence of oxybutyric acid in the urine may indicate metabolic disorders.

Examples

  • Researchers studied the effects of oxybutyric acid on brain function.

  • The researcher studied oxybutyric acid in the lab.

  • One form of oxybutyric acid is commonly found in certain fermented foods.

  • Can you explain what oxybutyric acid is?

  • One form of oxybutyric acid is commonly found in certain fermented foods.

  • Researchers studied the effects of oxybutyric acid on brain function.

  • The presence of oxybutyric acid in the urine may indicate metabolic disorders.

Synonyms

hydroxybutyric acid
vsoxybutyric acid
  • Specialized
7.3

A chemical the body makes from fat that it uses for energy when you do not eat

applies also in chemical contexts rather than only biological ones

Surface Forms

oxybutyric acid singular
oxybutyric acids plural

Morphology

oxybutyric + acid

The compound is morphologically decomposable into oxy- (oxygen/hydroxy) + butyric (from butyric acid) + acid, so its meaning as an oxygenated/hydroxy derivative of butyric acid is derivable for learners with some chemical/morphological knowledge. However, oxy- and butyric are technical morphemes not in ordinary B1 vocabulary and "oxybutyric" is not a common standalone word, so an average B1 learner who only knows the surface constituents would likely not predict the precise chemical sense without domain exposure.

Etymology

Oxybutyric acid is named from two parts: oxy meaning 'oxygen' and butyric acid, an acid first tied to 'butter'. So the name gives a simple image — butyric acid with extra 'oxygen', which helps you remember it refers to a butyric acid molecule that has oxygen added.