from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Oleic \O"le*ic\ ([=o]*l[=e]"[i^]k or [=o]*l[=a]"[i^]k or
[=o]"l[-e]*[i^]k), a. [L. oleum oil: cf. F. ol['e]ique.]
(Physiol.Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or contained in, oil; as, oleic
acid, an acid of the acrylic acid series found combined with
glyceryl in the form of olein in certain animal and vegetable
fats and oils, such as sperm oil, olive oil, etc. At low
temperatures the acid is crystalline, but melts to an oily
liquid above 14[deg] C.
[1913 Webster]