Chem. [f. TARTAR sb.1 + -IC; in mod.L. tartaric-us, F. tartarique.] Of the nature of, related to, or derived from tartar or argol. Tartaric acid (formerly tartareous or tartarous acid), an organic acid, C4H6O6. = C4H2O2 + (OH)4, or CO2H·(CHOH)2·CO2H, of which there are five isomeric forms, differing in their optical properties, viz. dextrotartaric acid (dextrorotary), lævotartaric acid (lævorotary), paratartaric acid (distinctively called RACEMIC acid), mesotartaric acid (optically inactive), and metatartaric acid; specifically, the first of these, a colorless crystalline compound, occurring largely in the vegetable kingdom, esp. in unripe grapes, and as a potassium salt in argol or tartar of wine, from which it is commercially prepared. So tartaric amide, anhydride, ether, an amide, anhydride, or ether of tartaric acid.
1790. Kerr, Lavoisier’s Elem. Chem., 190. Tables of the combinations of Oxygen with the compound radicals. Name of radical: Tartaric. Name of resulting acid (new nomencl.): Tartarous acid. Unknown till lately.
1794. G. Pearson, trans. De Morveau, etc., Table Chem. Nomencl., 28. The radical Tartaric yields only the tartareous Acid in which the basis is conceived to predominate.
1810. Henry, Elem. Chem. (1826), II. 227. The tartaric acid is generally obtained from the bi-tartrate of potassa (purified cream of tartar).
1813. Sir H. Davy, Agric. Chem. (1814), 107. The tartaric acid may be obtained from the juice of mulberries and grapes.
1827. Faraday, Chem. Manip., vi. 189. Tartaric acid or tartrates have an extraordinary power in rendering many metallic oxides soluble.
1876. Harley, Mat. Med. (ed. 6), 729. Tartaric acid—the acid of tartar—was discovered by Scheele in 1770.
1868. Watts, Dict. Chem., V. 690. Tartaric Amides. Ibid., 691. Insoluble Tartaric Anhydride, C4H4O5. Ibid., 692. The acid tartaric ethers are formed by the direct action of tartaric acid on the alcohols. Ibid. Ethylic Tartrate, or Tartaric Ether, C8H14O6 … is decomposed by sodium, with evolution of hydrogen.
