An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

A reddish-brown deposit consisting mainly of potassium hydrogen tartrate, which forms during the fermentation of wine. Same as → argol.

From O.Fr. tartre, from L. tartarum, from late Gk. tartaron "tartar encrusting the sides of wine casks," perhaps relating to Pers. dord (?).

Dord "lees, dregs, sediment, tartar of wine."

An organic acid with general chemical formula C₄H₆O₆ that exists in four isomeric forms . The common form, d-tartaric acid, obtained from → tartar, is a white, soluble, crystalline solid. It occurs naturally in many plants, particularly in grapes, bananas, and tamarinds. It is also one of the main acids found in wine.

Tartaric, from → tartar; → acid.