lactone

noun

A cyclic ester, or a compound containing a cyclic ester, formed by the intramolecular condensation of a hydroxy carboxylic acid.

noun

A colorless volatile liquid possessing an aromatic smell, produced, along with lactide, by the dry distillation of lactic acid.

noun

One of a series of organic compounds, being cyclic esters which may be regarded as anhydrides of certain hydroxy acids. In general, they are colorless liquids, having a weak aromatic odor. They are so called because the typical lactone is derived from lactic acid.

noun

A cyclic intramolecular ester derived from a hydroxy acid.