mär]ˈgärik-, mȧ], ]ˈgarik-, ˈmär]gərik-, ˈmȧ], -rēk-\ noun
Etymology: margaric, from French margarique, from margar- (from margarine margarin) + -ique -ic
1. : a crystalline synthetic fatty acid CH 3 (CH 2 ) 15 COOH intermediate between palmitic acid and stearic acid — called also heptadecanoic acid
2. : a mixture of palmitic acid and stearic acid obtained from various natural fats, oils, and waxes and formerly mistaken for a single acid