shə̇ˈkimik- noun
Etymology: Japanese shikimi star anise + English -ic
: a crystalline acid C 6 H 6 (OH) 3 COOH that is obtained especially from the fruit of the Japanese star anise and is formed as a precursor in the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids and of lignin; 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-gallic acid