Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Stearic \Ste*ar"ic\, a. [Cf. F. st['e]arique.] (Physiol. Chem.)
   Pertaining to, or obtained from, stearin or tallow;
   resembling tallow.

   {Stearic acid} (Chem.), a monobasic fatty acid, obtained in
      the form of white crystalline scales, soluble in alcohol
      and ether. It melts to an oily liquid at 69[deg]C.

Source : WordNet®

stearic acid
     n : a waxy saturated fatty acid; occurs widely as a glyceride in
         animal and vegetable fats [syn: {octadecanoic acid}]