combining form of mod.L. Lēdum (see LEDUM); used in chemical terms: Leditannic (acid), Ledixanthin (see quots.).
1865. Watts, Dict. Chem., III. 567. Leditannic acid.… A variety of tannic acid, obtained from the leaves of the marsh wild rosemary (Ledum palustre). Ibid., Ledixanthin, a yellow or red pulverulent substance, produced by boiling leditannic acid with sulphuric or hydrochloric acid.
