folic acid

noun, Biochemistry
1.
a water-soluble vitamin that is converted to a coenzyme essential to purine and thymine biosynthesis: deficiency causes a form of anemia.
Also called folate.
Origin
1940-45
British Dictionary definitions for folic acid

folic acid

/ˈfəʊlɪk; ˈfɒl-; ˈfəʊleɪt/
noun
1.
any of a group of vitamins of the B complex, including pteroylglutamic acid and its derivatives: used in the treatment of megaloblastic anaemia Also called folacin
Derived Forms
folate, noun, adjective
Word Origin
C20: from Latin folium leaf; so called because it may be obtained from green leaves
folic acid in Medicine

folic acid fo·lic acid (fō'lĭk, fŏl'ĭk)
n.
A yellowish-orange compound of the vitamin B complex group, occurring in green plants, fresh fruit, liver, and yeast. Also called folacin, folate, vitamin Bc.

folic acid in Science
folic acid
  (fō'lĭk, fŏl'ĭk)   
A water-soluble vitamin belonging to the vitamin B complex that is necessary for the formation of red blood cells and important in embryonic development. It is also the parent compound of coenzymes in various metabolic reactions. Folic acid is found especially in green leafy vegetables, liver, and fresh fruit. Deficiency of folic acid in the diet results in anemia. Chemical formula: C19H19N7O6.