/truy klawr"oh euh see"tik, -set"ik, -klohr"-, -klawr'-, -klohr'-/ , Chem.
a toxic, deliquescent, and colorless crystalline compound, C 2 HCl 3 O 2 , soluble in water, alcohol, and ether: used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, herbicides, and other chemicals, and as a reagent for the detection of albumin. Abbr.: TCA
[ 1880-85; TRI- + CHLORO- 2 + ACETIC ACID ]