Hippuric is a word commonly used in chemistry to refer to a crystalline compound found in the urine of mammals. The spelling of this word can be traced back to its Greek origin, where "hippo" means horse and "ouron" means urine. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /hɪˈpjʊərɪk/, with the primary stress on the second syllable. The spelling of the word is consistent with standard English spelling rules, with the "h" being silent and the "p" being pronounced.
Hippuric is an adjective that relates to or is derived from hippuric acid. Hippuric acid is a compound formed by the conjugation of benzoic acid and glycine in the liver. It is present in human and animal urine as a result of the normal metabolism of certain substances, especially those derived from aromatic compounds found in the diet.
In terms of its chemical composition, hippuric acid consists of a benzene ring connected to a carboxyl group and an amino group through a side chain. This compound is typically colorless and occurs in the form of odorless white crystals.
The term "hippuric" is commonly used in reference to the presence or measurement of hippuric acid in various contexts. Medical professionals and researchers often study urinary hippuric levels to assess kidney function and monitor the impact of certain drugs or toxins on the body. Additionally, it serves as an indicator in environmental toxicology studies, as the presence of high levels of hippuric acid in the urine can suggest exposure to certain chemicals or industrial pollutants.
Relating to the urine of horses; noting.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Applied to an acid obtained from the urine of horses or cows.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "hippuric" is derived from the Greek word "hippos", meaning "horse", and the Latin word "urina", meaning "urine". It was coined in the mid-19th century by German chemist Heinrich Meissner. The term "hippuric" is used to describe a specific compound called "hippuric acid", which was first isolated from the urine of horses and later found to be present in the urine of other mammals, including humans.