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Glite Dictionary
ricinoleic acid

ricinoleic acid

9.2
An oily substance from castor oil used to make soaps and lubricants
  • noun
  • /ˌrɪsɪˈnoʊliɪk ˈæsɪd/
  • Specialized
: ácido ricinoleico
  • Ricinoleic acid is the main component responsible for the laxative effect of castor oil.

Examples

  • The soap industry often uses ricinoleic acid for its cleansing properties.

  • Many soaps contain ricinoleic acid as a key ingredient.

  • Researchers studied the effects of ricinoleic acid on bacterial growth in laboratory settings.

  • The chemical composition of ricinoleic acid is unique.

  • The soap industry often uses ricinoleic acid for its cleansing properties.

  • Many soaps contain ricinoleic acid as a key ingredient.

  • Researchers studied the effects of ricinoleic acid on bacterial growth in laboratory settings.

Surface Forms

ricinoleic acid singular
ricinoleic acids plural

Morphology

ricinoleic + acid

The adjective 'ricinoleic' is a specialized, technical chemical name that is not analyzable into familiar English morphemes, so even if a learner knows 'acid' they cannot infer the specific substance or its properties. The adjective+acid form only signals it is some kind of acid, but the referent is domain-specific and requires prior or technical knowledge, making it unpredictable for a B1 learner.

Etymology

Ricinoleic acid comes from the castor plant and the word for oil: ricinus was an old name for the castor plant and oleic means 'oil', so the name points to the oily part of castor oil. That's why ricinoleic acid means the oily acid from castor oil used in soaps and lubricants.