chelate

[ kee-leyt ]

/ ˈki leɪt /

Save This Word!

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.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of chelate

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

OTHER WORDS FROM chelate

che·lat·a·ble, adjective

Words nearby chelate

Chekhov, Anton, Chekhovian, Chekiang, chela, Chelan, chelate, chelating agent, chelation, cheli-, chelicera, chelicerate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use chelate in a sentence

The pedipalpi become chelate before becoming jointed, and the chelicer also early acquire their characteristic form.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume II (of 4)|Francis Maitland Balfour
Mandibles chelate; palpi not enlarged at the tip, nor with two bristles.
Handbook of Medical Entomology|William Albert Riley
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
The large chelate pedipalps are also prominently figured but the smaller walking legs are commonly omitted.
Animal Figures in the Maya Codices|Alfred M. Tozzer and Glover M. Allen

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

/ (ˈkiːleɪt) /

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

Scientific 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.