hemicellulose

[ hem-i-sel-yuh-lohs ]

noun

1. any of a group of gummy polysaccharides, intermediate in complexity between sugar and cellulose, that hydrolyze to monosaccharides more readily than cellulose.

hemicellulose

/ ˌhɛmɪˈsɛljʊˌləʊz /

noun

1. any of a group of plant polysaccharides that occur chiefly in the cell wall

Word History and Origins

Origin of hemicellulose¹

First recorded in 1890–95; hemi- + cellulose

Example Sentences

Wood contains the natural polymers cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.

From Science News For Students

The hemicellulose of wheat is, therefore, according to the author, pure pentosane.

From Project Gutenberg