from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Tartaric \Tar*tar"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to tartar; derived from, or resembling,
tartar.
[1913 Webster]
{Tartaric acid}. (a) An acid widely diffused throughout the
vegetable kingdom, as in grapes, mountain-ash berries,
etc., and obtained from tartar as a white crystalline
substance, {C2H2(OH)2.(CO2H)2}, having a strong pure acid
taste. It is used in medicine, in dyeing, calico printing,
photography, etc., and also as a substitute for lemon
juice. Called also {dextro-tartaric acid}.
(b) By extension, any one of the series of isomeric acids
(racemic acid, levotartaric acid, inactive tartaric acid)
of which tartaric acid proper is the type.
[1913 Webster]