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isinglass

 - 4 dictionary results

i⋅sin⋅glass

  [ahy-zuhn-glas, -glahs, ahy-zing-]
Use isinglass in a Sentence
–noun
1. a pure, transparent or translucent form of gelatin, obtained from the air bladders of certain fish, esp. the sturgeon: used in glue and jellies and as a clarifying agent.
2. mica, esp. in thin, translucent sheets.
Origin:
1535–45; < MD huysenblase (with glass for blase by folk etym.), lit., sturgeon bladder; c. G Hausenblase
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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i·sin·glass   (ī'zən-glās', ī'zĭng-)   
n.  

  1. A transparent, almost pure gelatin prepared from the air bladder of the sturgeon and certain other fishes and used as an adhesive and a clarifying agent.

  2. Mica in thin, transparent sheets.


[By folk etymology (influenced by glass) from obsolete Dutch huizenblas, from Middle Dutch hūsblase : hūs, sturgeon + blase, bladder; see bhlē- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

isinglass 
1528, said to be perversion of Du. huysenblas, lit. "sturgeon bladder," from huysen "sturgeon" + blas "bladder;" so called because the substance was obtained from it.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: isin·glass
Pronunciation: 'Iz-&n-"glas, 'I-zi[ng]-
Function: noun
1 : a semitransparent whitish very pure gelatinprepared from the air bladders of fishes (as sturgeons) and used especially as a clarifying agent and in jellies and glue called also ichthyocolla
2 : MICA
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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