In full "gamma-butyrolactone". An oily liquid γ-lactone used as a solvent and sometimes also taken as a recreational drug (being metabolized to GHB in the body).
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in Science. From butyro- + lactone, after German Butyrolakton.
Definition of butyrolactone in US English:
butyrolactone
nounˌbjuːtɪrəʊˈlaktəʊn
Chemistry
In full "gamma-butyrolactone". An oily liquid γ-lactone used as a solvent and sometimes also taken as a recreational drug (being metabolized to GHB in the body).
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in Science. From butyro- + lactone, after German Butyrolakton.