zein

[ zee-in ]

noun
  1. Biochemistry. a soft, yellow powder of simple proteins obtained from corn, used chiefly in the manufacture of textile fibers, plastics, and paper coatings.

  2. a synthetic fiber produced from this protein.

Origin of zein

1
1815–25; <New Latin Ze(a) the maize genus (Latin: emmer <Greek zeiá barley, wheat; cognate with Sanskrit yáva grain) + -in2

Words Nearby zein

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How to use zein in a sentence

  • Examples of these proteins may be seen in the gliadin of wheat, zein of corn, and hordein of barley.

    Dietetics for Nurses | Fairfax T. Proudfit

British Dictionary definitions for zein

zein

/ (ˈziːɪn) /


noun
  1. a protein of the prolamine group occurring in maize and used in the manufacture of plastics, paper coatings, adhesives, etc

Origin of zein

1
C19: from New Latin zēa maize, from Latin: a kind of grain, from Greek zeia barley

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