Propionate
/ˌproʊ.piˈə.neɪt/noun
A salt or ester of propionic acid, commonly used in food preservation and chemical manufacturing.
Did you know?Propionic acid was named from Greek roots meaning “first” and “fat” because chemists regarded it as the first member of a particular higher-fatty-acid series.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“Forward, before, or in front of; an ancient root behind Greek pro.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
protos
“First; foremost.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
piōn
“Fat, stout, or rich.”
19th Century
Scientific Latin/Greek
propionicus
“Relating to propionic acid; a coined chemical term combining the ideas of “first” and “fat.””
19th Century
English
propionic acid
“An organic acid classified among the fatty acids, with the formula CH₃CH₂COOH.”
Modern English
English
propionate
“A salt or ester derived from propionic acid.”
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