[pol-uh-mer] 
| 1. | a compound of high molecular weight derived either by the addition of many smaller molecules, as polyethylene, or by the condensation of many smaller molecules with the elimination of water, alcohol, or the like, as nylon. |
| 2. | a compound formed from two or more polymeric compounds. |
| 3. | a product of polymerization. |
| pol·y·mer (pŏl'ə-mər) n. Any of numerous natural and synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units, each a relatively light and simple molecule. [Greek polumerēs, consisting of many parts : polu-, poly- + meros, part; see (s)mer-2 in Indo-European roots.] |
In chemistry, a long molecule made up of a chain of smaller, simpler molecules.
Note: Proteins and many carbohydrates, such as cellulose, are polymers. Plastics are also polymers.
polymer pol·y·mer (pŏl'ə-mər)
n.
Any of numerous compounds of usually high molecular weight and consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units, each a relatively light and simple molecule.
| polymer (pŏl'ə-mər) Pronunciation Key
Any of various chemical compounds made of smaller, identical molecules (called monomers) linked together. Some polymers, like cellulose, occur naturally, while others, like nylon, are artificial. Polymers have extremely high molecular weights, make up many of the tissues of organisms, and have extremely varied and versatile uses in industry, such as in making plastics, concrete, glass, and rubber. ◇ The process by which molecules are linked together to form polymers is called polymerization (pŏl'ə-lĭm'ər-ĭ-zā'shən). |
ə
s