Origin: Latin suffix -ate
Citrate has 4 different meanings across 2 categories:
a salt or ester of citric acid
"The doctor prescribed an oral supplement containing calcium citrate to help his patient absorb more calcium from her diet."
Any salt or ester of citric acid.
"The doctor suggested taking a calcium citrate supplement because it is more easily absorbed than other forms of calcium salts."
cause to form a salt or ester of citric acid
"The chemical reaction in the lab was designed specifically to citrate calcium ions into a stable compound for use as an anticoagulant."
To cause to form citrate.
"The addition of sodium bicarbonate caused the solution to form citrate when combined with the fruit juice extract."