Citric

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈsɪtɹɪk/

Definitions

1. Relating to or derived from citrus fruits, or denoting an organic acid found in citrus fruits and other plants that is commonly used in food preservation and flavoring
2. Pertaining to substances that originate from citrus fruits, including an organic acid associated with food preservation and flavor enhancement in culinary contexts
3. Connected to citrus fruits and the organic acid within them, often utilized for its preservative and flavoring qualities in various foods

Etymology: Citric comes from "citrus," the Latin name for the citron tree and its fruit, with the suffix "-ic" added to form an adjective meaning "relating to" or "derived from" something. So "citric" simply means of or from citrus fruit, and it was built in English as a straightforward descriptive term rather than inherited from an older word. The chemical sense is the one that matters most in practice. Citric acid is the sour compound found in lemons, limes and oranges, and the adjective is used for it and for compounds derived from it. The name tells you where the substance was first identified: it is named for the fruit it comes from, not for any broader property of sourness.

Synonyms: acidic, tart, sour

Antonyms: sweet