Tartaric
/tɑːrˈtærɪk/noun
Relating to or containing tartaric acid, an organic acid found especially in grapes and used in chemistry and baking.
Did you know?Tartaric acid was named from tartar, the crusty deposit left in wine barrels, and that term was historically linked to Tartarus, giving this chemistry word a genuinely hellish etymological shadow.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Tartaros
“The deepest abyss of the underworld, a place of punishment and confinement.”
Late Latin
Latin
tartarus
“Hell or the infernal regions.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
tartarum
“A crusty deposit or sediment, especially from wine.”
Middle French
French
tartre
“Tartar, the hard crust deposited by wine.”
16th Century
English
tartar
“The crust deposited by wine or on teeth.”
18th Century
English
tartaric
“Relating to tartar or tartaric acid.”