boric acid: a white or colorless slightly acid solid that is soluble in water and ethanol; used in the manufacture of glass and paper and adhesives and in detergents and as a flux in welding; also used as an antiseptic and food preservative
acid: any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt
patristics: the study of the lives, writings, and doctrines of the Church Fathers