chelate

[kee-leyt]

adjective

Chemistry.

of or noting a heterocyclic compound having a central metallic ion attached by covalent bonds to two or more nonmetallic atoms in the same molecule.
of or noting a compound having a cyclic structure resulting from the formation of one or more hydrogen bonds in the same molecule.

Zoology. having a chela or chelae.

noun

Chemistry. a chelate compound.

verb (used without object), che·lat·ed, che·lat·ing. Chemistry.

(of a heterocyclic compound) to react to form a chelate.

(of a compound) to form a ring by forming one or more hydrogen bonds.

verb (used with object), che·lat·ed, che·lat·ing.

Chemistry. to combine (an organic compound) with a metallic ion to form a chelate.

Nearby words

Origin of chelate

First recorded in 1820–30; chel(a)¹ + -ate¹

Related formsche·lat·a·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for chelate

Appendages of 2nd pair folding in a vertical plane, not chelate, the claw long and movable.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 3|Various
Chelate: bearing a cheat or claw; applied when claws are capable of being drawn down or back upon the last tarsal joint.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology|John. B. Smith
Two pairs of the thoracic feet are chelate, and three pairs are longer than the others.
The Sea-beach at Ebb-tide|Augusta Foote Arnold

British Dictionary definitions for chelate

chelate

noun

chem a coordination compound in which a metal atom or ion is bound to a ligand at two or more points on the ligand, so as to form a heterocyclic ring containing a metal atom

adjective

zoology of or possessing chelae

chem of or denoting a chelate

verb

(intr) chem to form a chelate

Word Origin for chelate

C20: from chela 1

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

Word Origin and History for chelate

chelate

adj.

"having pincer-like claws," 1826 as a term in zoology; 1920 in chemistry, from Modern Latin chela "claw" (from Greek khele "claw, talon, cloven hoof;" see chelicerae) + -ate (2). Related: Chelated; chelating; chelation.

Medicine definitions for chelate

chelate

[kē′lāt′]

n.

A chemical compound in the form of a heterocyclic ring, containing a metal ion attached by coordinate bonds to at least two nonmetal ions.

v.

To combine a metal ion with a chemical compound to form a ring.

To remove a heavy metal, such as lead or mercury, from the bloodstream by means of a chelate.

Related formsche′late′ adj.che•la′tion n.

Science definitions for chelate

chelate

[kē′lāt′]

A chemical compound in the form of a ring that contains a metal ion attached by coordinate bonds to at least two nonmetal ions. Many commercial dyes as well as important biological substances, such as chlorophyll and the heme of hemoglobin, are chelates.