[ad. F. succinique (Lavoisier), f. L. succinum amber, SUCCIN: see -IC 1 b.]
1. Chem. Succinic acid: a dibasic acid obtained by the dry distillation of amber. (Formerly called salt or spirit of amber.)
1790. Kerr, trans. Lavoisier’s Elem. Chem., 190. Succinic acid, [old name] Volatile salt of amber.
1836–41. Brande, Chem. (ed. 5), 1160. When succinic acid is obtained in the form of crystals from its aqueous solutions, it is in a hydrated state.
1876. Harley, Mat. Med. (ed. 6), 360. Succinic acid is supposed to be expectorant.
b. Similarly succinic amide, anhydride, chloride, ether, oxychloride. Also attrib. succinic test.
1805. Saunders, Min. Waters, 386. Various experiments respecting alumine and its relations with the succinic test.
1857. Miller, Elem. Chem., Org., iii. § 4. 153. The formula of the oxalic, carbonic, and succinic ethers, must be taken as containing one equivalent of the dibasic acid and two equivalents of oxide of ethyl. Ibid., vi. § 3. 426. Succinic oxychloride (C8H4O4Cl2). Ibid. (1862), (ed. 2), v. § 1. 294. Benzoic and succinic anhydrides.
1868. Watts, Dict. Chem., V. 460. Succinic Amides.
2. Found in amber, as an insect.
1836. F. W. Hope, in Trans. Entomol. Soc. Lond., I. 133. Observations on Succinic Insects.
