/stee"euh rin, stear"in/ , n.
1. Chem. any of the three glyceryl esters of stearic acid, esp. C 3 H 5 (C 18 H 35 O 2 ) 3 , a soft, white, odorless solid found in many natural fats.
2. the crude commercial form of stearic acid, used chiefly in the manufacture of candles.
Also, stearine /stee"euhr in, -euh reen', stear"in/ .
[ 1810-20; stéarine stéar fat, grease + F -ine -INE 2 ; see -IN 2 ]