A saturated carboxylic acid CH3(CH2)12COOH; r.d. 0.86; m.p. 58.8°C; b.p. 250.5°C (100 mmHg). Its glycerides are found in nutmeg, palm oil, and butter fat. Compounds are used in cosmetics and skin-care preparations. The name comes from the Latin name for nutmeg, Myristica fragrans.