a. Chem. [f. L. citr-us citron-tree + -IC.] Derived from the citron; as in Citric acid: a colorless inodorous acid (C6 H8 O7), of a very sharp taste, found in the juice of oranges, lemons, limes, citrons, and many other fruits. Citric ether: the citrate of ethyl.
1800. Med. Jrnl., IV. 152.
1813. Sir H. Davy, Agric. Chem. (1814), 107. The citric acid is the peculiar acid existing in the juice of lemons and oranges.
1863–72. Watts, Dict. Chem., I. 995. Citric acid has a strong, but pleasant, acidity, in which respect it differs from tartaric acid. Ibid., I. 1001. Citric ether is … an oily, yellowish, transparent liquid, with an odour resembling olive oil.
