Sorbic
/ˈsɔːr.bɪk/noun
Relating to sorbic acid, a preservative naturally found in rowan berries and used to inhibit mold and yeast.
Did you know?Sorbic acid was named after the genus Sorbus, the rowan trees whose berries were long associated in European folklore with warding off evil and bad luck.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
sorbus
“the service tree or rowan tree”
Modern Botanical Latin
Latin
Sorbus
“the botanical genus name for rowans and related trees”
19th Century
English
sorbic
“pertaining to sorbic acid or derived from Sorbus”
1850s
English
sorbic acid
“a preservative acid first isolated from rowan berries”
Modern English
English
sorbic
“relating to sorbic acid”
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