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Webster 1913 Edition


Stearin

Ste′a-rin

(stē′ȧ-rĭn)
,
Noun.
[Gr.
στέαρ
tallow, suet: cf. F.
stéarine
.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
One of the constituents of animal fats and also of some vegetable fats, as the butter of cacao. It is especially characterized by its solidity, so that when present in considerable quantity it materially increases the hardness, or raises the melting point, of the fat, as in mutton tallow. Chemically, it is a compound of glyceryl with three molecules of stearic acid, and hence is technically called tristearin, or glyceryl tristearate.

Webster 1828 Edition


Stearin

STEARIN

,
Noun.
One of the proximate elements of animal fat, as lard, tallow, &c. The various kinds of animal fat consist of two substances, stearin and elain; of which the former is solid, and the latter liquid.