\Sal`i*cyl"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid formerly
obtained by fusing salicin with potassium hydroxide, and now
made in large quantities from phenol (carbolic acid) by the
action of carbon dioxide on heated sodium phenolate. It is a
white crystalline substance. It is used as an antiseptic, and
in its salts in the treatment of rheumatism. Called also
{hydroxybenzoic} acid.