1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Oxalic  \Ox*al"ic\,  a.  [From  {Oxalis}:  cf  F.  oxalique.]  (Chem.) 
  Pertaining  to  derived  from  or  contained  in  sorrel,  or 
  oxalis;  specifically,  designating  an  acid  found  in  and 
  characteristic  of  oxalis,  and  also  certain  plant  of  the 
  Buckwheat  family. 
 
  {Oxalic  acid}  (Chem.),  a  dibasic  acid,  existing  combined  in 
  oxalis  as  an  acid  potassium  oxalate,  and  in  many  plant 
  tissues  as  the  calcium  oxalate.  It  is  prepared  on  a  large 
  scale,  by  the  action  of  fused  caustic  soda  or  potash  on 
  sawdust,  as  a  white  crystalline  substance,  which  has  a 
  strong  acid  taste,  and  is  poisonous  in  large  doses.  It  is 
  used  in  dyeing,  calico  printing,  bleaching  flax  and  straw, 
  the  preparation  of  formic  acid,  and  in  salts  of  lemon  for 
  removing  ink  stains,  mold,  etc 

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