'Lactone' definitions:
Definition of 'Lactone'
From: GCIDE
- Lactone \Lac"tone\, n. (Chem.) 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. [1913 Webster]