ester
UK /ˈɛstə/ · US /ˈɛstɚ/ noun, proper noun
Also a form of Esther
Forms esters
- noun (organic chemistry) A compound most often formed by the condensation of an alcohol and an acid, with elimination of water, which contains the functional group carbon-oxygen double bond (i.e., carbonyl) joined via carbon to another oxygen atom.
- proper noun A female given name from Hebrew, alternative form of Esther.
Etymology
Borrowed from German Ester, possibly a blend of Essig + Äther. See ether for more.
Webster’s 1913
- noun An ethereal salt, or compound ether, consisting of an organic radical united with the residue of any oxygen acid, organic or inorganic; thus the natural fats are esters of glycerin and the fatty acids, oleic, etc.
Etymology [A word invented by L. Gmelin, a German chemist.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “ester”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details