cellulose

[sel-yuh-lohs]

noun

1. an inert carbohydrate, (C 6 H 10 O5 ) n, the chief constituent of the cell walls of plants and of wood, cotton, hemp, paper, etc.

cellulose

/ -ˌləʊs, ˈsɛljʊˌləʊz /

noun

1. a polysaccharide consisting of long unbranched chains of linked glucose units: the main constituent of plant cell walls and used in making paper, rayon, and film

cellulose

1. A carbohydrate that is a polymer composed of glucose units and that is the main component of the cell walls of most plants. It is insoluble in water and is used to make paper, cellophane, textiles, explosives, and other products.

2. See cellulose acetate

cellulose

1. A stringy, fibrous substance that forms the main material in the cell walls of plants. Cellulose is an organic molecule (see also organic molecules), composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Other Word Forms

• cellulosity noun
• semicellulose noun
• cellulosic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cellulose¹

1745–55; < New Latin cellul ( a ) live cell ( cellular ) + -ose ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of cellulose¹

C18: from French cellule cell (see _cellule ) + _-ose ²

Example Sentences

He then filled in the skeleton’s holes with ethyl cellulose, a tough biodegradable polymer.

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Electrospinning using a starch-rich ingredient such as white flour is more challenging than using pure starch, as the impurities -- the protein and cellulose -- make the mixture more viscous and unable to form fibres.

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As the mold digests the proteins and starch within the fibrous pulp, it also breaks down the cellulose, turning what remains into a dish beloved by many across western Indonesia.

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The process involves blending three main components -- carbon nanotubes, polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethyl cellulose -- followed by freeze-drying.

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Biofuel production relies on the breakdown of compounds like starch or cellulose into glucose, which can then be efficiently fermented into ethanol for use as a fuel or converted into other useful materials.

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Related Words

• glucose 
• lactose 
• starch 
• sugar