isinglass

[ ahy-zuhn-glas, -glahs, ahy-zing- ]

noun
  1. a pure, transparent or translucent form of gelatin, obtained from the air bladders of certain fish, especially the sturgeon: used in glue and jellies and as a clarifying agent.

  2. mica, especially in thin, translucent sheets.

Origin of isinglass

1
1535–45; <Middle Dutch huysenblase (with glass for blase by folk etymology), literally, sturgeon bladder; cognate with German Hausenblase

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British Dictionary definitions for isinglass

isinglass

/ (ˈaɪzɪŋˌɡlɑːs) /


noun
  1. a gelatine made from the air bladders of freshwater fish, used as a clarifying agent and adhesive

Origin of isinglass

1
C16: from Middle Dutch huysenblase, literally: sturgeon bladder; influenced by English glass

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for isinglass

isinglass

[ īzən-glăs′, īzĭng- ]


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

  2. Mica, especially in the form of the mineral muscovite.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.