A common saturated fatty acid occurring in palm oil and olive oil as well as many other fats and waxes; the end product of mammalian fatty acid synthase. SYN: hexadecanoic acid.
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pal·mit·ic acid (.)pal-.mit-ik-, (.)pä(l)- n a waxy crystalline saturated fatty acid C16H32O2 occurring free or in the form of esters (as glycerides) in most fats and fatty oils and in several essential oils and waxes called also hexadecanoic acid
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pal·mit·ic ac·id (pal-mitґik) [NF] a 16-carbon saturated fatty acid found in most fats and oils, particularly associated with stearic acid. It is one of the most prevalent saturated fatty acids in body lipids. See also table accompanying fatty acid.Medical dictionary. 2011.