a. [mod. ad. Gr. χολικ-ός, f. χολή bile.] Of or pertaining to bile. Cholic acid, an acid (C24 H40 O5) discovered in 1838, which is produced from the nitrogenized acids of bile during its putrefaction. Sometimes called Cholalic acid; the name cholic having been formerly given to Glycocholic acid.
1846. G. Day, trans. Simon’s Anim. Chem., II. App. 507. Ultimate composition of cholic acid.
1859. Todd, Cycl. Anat., V. 401/1. Decomposed in the liver into … sugar and cholic acid.
1863. Watts, Dict. Chem., I. 926. Cholic acid has a bitter taste, with slight saccharine aftertaste.
