Wordnet 3.0
NOUN (1)
1.
any of a class of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids that form part of a lipid molecule and can be derived from fat by hydrolysis;
fatty acids are simple molecules built around a series of carbon atoms linked together in a chain of 12 to 22 carbon atoms;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Fatty \Fat"ty\, a.
Containing fat, or having the qualities of fat; greasy;
gross; as, a fatty substance.
[1913 Webster]
Fatty acid (Chem.), any one of the paraffin series of
monocarbonic acids, as formic acid, acetic, etc.; -- so
called because the higher members, as stearic and palmitic
acids, occur in the natural fats, and are themselves
fatlike substances.
Fatty clays. See under Clay.
Fatty degeneration (Med.), a diseased condition, in which
the oil globules, naturally present in certain organs, are
so multiplied as gradually to destroy and replace the
efficient parts of these organs.
Fatty heart, Fatty liver, etc. (Med.), a heart, liver,
etc., which have been the subjects of fatty degeneration
or infiltration.
Fatty infiltration (Med.), a condition in which there is an
excessive accumulation of fat in an organ, without
destruction of any essential parts of the latter.
Fatty tumor (Med.), a tumor consisting of fatty or adipose
tissue; lipoma.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
fatty acid
n 1: any of a class of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids that form
part of a lipid molecule and can be derived from fat by
hydrolysis; fatty acids are simple molecules built around a
series of carbon atoms linked together in a chain of 12 to
22 carbon atoms