lactic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   relating to, derived from, or occurring in milk

   The laboratory examined the lactic proteins remaining in the whey.

2. 2
   adj

   relating to lactic acid or to microorganisms and processes that produce it

   Lactic fermentation gives yogurt its characteristic acidity.

Formed from Latin lact-, the stem of lac, 'milk,' + -ic. Chemists first used lactic for acid isolated from sour milk, and the adjective broadened to fermentation, bacteria, and compounds associated with lactic acid.

Topics