Stearic \Ste*ar"ic\, a. [Cf. F. st['e]arique.]

(Physiol. Chem.) Pertaining to, or obtained from, stearin or tallow; resembling tallow.

Stearic acid (Chem.), a monobasic fatty acid, obtained in the form of white crystalline scales, soluble in alcohol and ether. It melts to an oily liquid at 69[deg]C.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)