clathrate

[ klath-reyt ]

adjective

1. Biology. resembling a lattice; divided or marked like latticework.

noun

1. Chemistry. a substance in which a molecule of one compound fills a cavity within the crystal lattice of another compound.

clathrate

/ ˈklæθreɪt /

adjective

1. resembling a net or lattice

noun

1. chem a solid compound in which molecules of one substance are physically trapped in the crystal lattice of another

Word History and Origins

Origin of clathrate¹

1615–25; < Latin clāt ( h ) rātus, past participle of clāt ( h ) rāre to fit with bars, verbal derivative of clāt ( h ) ra bars, lattice < Greek, Doric equivalent of Attic klâithra, plural of klêithron bar; clithral

Word History and Origins

Origin of clathrate¹

C17: from Latin clāthrāre to provide with a lattice, from Greek klēthra, from klaithron a bar

Example Sentences

Clath′rose, crossed by deep rectangular furrows; Clath′rulate, finely clathrate.

From Project Gutenberg