oleic (oleik)

[L. oleum, oil (see oil), + -ic.] Pertaining to or derived from oil. Also elaic. Oleic acid, C18H3402, an acid which exists in most fats in combination with glycerol as a compound ether (triolein), and is obtained from them by saponification of the fats with an alkali. It is an oily liquid, having a slight smell and a pungent taste, and below 14° C. crystallizes in brilliant colorle needles. It enters largely into the composition of soaps, forming with potash soft soap, and with soda hard soap. oleiferous (o-le-if'e-rus), a. [L. oleum, oil, + ferre E. bear.] Producing oil; yielding oil: as, oleiferous seeds. = loran drum, lauriendum, a rod and rum ), corrupt forms, resting on L. olea, olive-tree, and laurus, laurel, of L. rhododendron: see rhododendron. Any plant of the genus Nerium, most often N. Oleander, the ordinary species, a shrub of indoor culture from the Levant, having leathery lance-shaped leaves and handsome deep rose-colored or white flowers. The sweet oleander is N. odorum, a species from India with fragrant blo oms. The leaves and flowers of these plants are poisonous, and especially the bark. Also called rose - bay.