chelate

[ kee-leyt ]

adjective

1. Chemistry.
   1. 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.
   2. of or noting a compound having a cyclic structure resulting from the formation of one or more hydrogen bonds in the same molecule.
2. Zoology. having a chela or chelae.

noun

1. Chemistry. a chelate compound.

verb (used without object)

, Chemistry.

, che·lat·ed, che·lat·ing.

1. (of a heterocyclic compound) to react to form a chelate.
2. (of a compound) to form a ring by forming one or more hydrogen bonds.

verb (used with object)

, che·lat·ed, che·lat·ing.

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

chelate

/ ˈkiːleɪt /

noun

1. 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

1. zoology of or possessing chelae
2. chem of or denoting a chelate

verb

1. intr chem to form a chelate

chelate

/ kē′lāt′ /

1. 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.

Other Words From

• chelat·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chelate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of chelate¹

C20: from chela ¹

Example Sentences

The pedipalpi become chelate before becoming jointed, and the chelicer also early acquire their characteristic form.

From Project Gutenberg

Mandibles chelate; palpi not enlarged at the tip, nor with two bristles.

From Project Gutenberg

Chelate: bearing a cheat or claw; applied when claws are capable of being drawn down or back upon the last tarsal joint.

From Project Gutenberg

The large chelate pedipalps are also prominently figured but the smaller walking legs are commonly omitted.

From Project Gutenberg

Two pairs of the thoracic feet are chelate, and three pairs are longer than the others.

From Project Gutenberg