lactic acid: Meaning and Definition of

lac'tic ac'id

1. a colorless or yellowish, syrupy, water-soluble liquid, CHO, produced during muscle contraction as a product of anaerobic glucose metabolism, abundant in sour milk, prepared usually by fermentation of cornstarch, molasses, potatoes, etc., or synthesized: used chiefly in dyeing and textile printing, as a flavoring agent in food, and in medicine.