Ste*ar"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. st'earique.] Physiol. Chem.
Pertaining to, or obtained from, stearin or tallow; resembling tallow.
Stearic acid Chem., a monobasic fatty acid, obtained in the form of white crystalline scales, soluble in alcohol and ether. It melts to an oily liquid at 69°C.<-- b.p. 383°. C18H36O2, CH3.(CH2)16.COOH; sodium stearate, with sodium palmitate, is the main component of ordinary bar soaps (Such as Ivory soap). -->
© Webster 1913.