Ben-zō'ic, a.

a. [Fr. benzōïque. See BENZOIN.] Pertaining to, or obtained from, benzoin.

Benzoic acid, or flowers of benzoin, a peculiar vegetable acid, obtained from benzoin, and some other balsams, by sublimation or decoction. It is also found in vanilla, canella, and the urine of infants and herbivorous animals. In form it consists of crystals of white, satiny flakes; its odor is aromatic; its taste pungent, and somewhat acidulous.