ˈmalik, ˈmālik- noun
Etymology: malic from French malique, from Latin malum apple + French -ique -ic — more at malus
: a crystalline hydroxy dicarboxylic acid HOOCCH(OH)CHCOOH known in three optically isomeric forms; hydroxy-succinic acid: (1) the levorotatory l -form found in various plant juices (as in apples, grapes, rhubarb) and formed as an intermediate in the Krebs cycle; (2) the dextrorotatory d -form usually obtained by resolution of the racemic form; (3) the racemic form made by hydration of maleic acid or fumaric acid