Malic acid, as obtained from the tobacco plant, Nicotiana tabacum, where it occurs in combination with nicotine; (occasionally also, by confusion) nicotinic acid.
Origin
Mid 19th century.
Definition of nicotic acid in US English:
nicotic acid
noun
Chemistry
Malic acid, as obtained from the tobacco plant, Nicotiana tabacum, where it occurs in combination with nicotine; (occasionally also, by confusion) nicotinic acid.