GLYCERIN Meaning and
Definition
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Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is a colorless, odorless, and viscous liquid compound that belongs to the alcohol group. It is found naturally in many animal and vegetable fats and oils and is derived as a byproduct during the production of soap from animal or vegetable fats. Glycerin has a sweet taste and is considered non-toxic.
In terms of its chemical structure, glycerin consists of three hydroxyl groups attached to a three-carbon molecule, making it a trihydric alcohol. It has a molecular formula of C3H8O3 and a molecular weight of 92.09 grams per mole.
Glycerin possesses hygroscopic properties, meaning it can attract and absorb moisture from the surrounding atmosphere. Due to this property, it is commonly used as a humectant in various products such as moisturizers, lotions, and soaps to help retain moisture and prevent drying of the skin. Moreover, glycerin also acts as an emollient, effectively softening and soothing the skin.
Besides its applications in personal care products, glycerin finds extensive use in the pharmaceutical and food industries. It acts as a solvent for various active ingredients in medicines and is a common component in cough syrups, expectorants, and mouthwashes. In the food industry, glycerin acts as a food additive, humectant, and sweetener, often utilized in beverages, candies, and baked goods.
Glycerin also has industrial applications, such as in the production of antifreeze, as a lubricant for machinery, and as a solvent in various chemical processes. Overall, glycerin is a versatile compound with a wide range of applications across numerous industries.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Top Common Misspellings for GLYCERIN *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for GLYCERIN
Etymology of GLYCERIN
The word "glycerin" is derived from the Greek word "glykys", meaning "sweet", and the suffix "-erine", commonly used in the names of chemical compounds. The term was coined by the French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul in the early 19th century, who discovered that by hydrolyzing (breaking down by water) animal fats, a sweet-tasting substance could be obtained, which he named "glycérine". Over time, the spelling evolved to "glycerin" and became widely used in English.
Similar spelling words for GLYCERIN
- glyceride,
- glycerolize,
- glycerine,
- glycerole,
- glasser,
- glaser,
- glaeser,
- glycerogel,
- glycerol,
- glycerolise,
- glazier,
- glyceria,
- glyceryl,
- glacier,
- glycerite,
- glazer.
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