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sal·i·cyl·ic acid

(săl′ĭ-sĭlĭk)

A white crystalline benzoic acid derivative, C₇H₆O₃, used in making aspirin, as a preservative, and as a topical treatment for skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and warts.

[From French salicyle, the radical of salicylic acid, from salicine, salicin; see SALICIN.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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