hyaline

American  

[hahy-uh-leen, -lin, hahy-uh-lin, -lahyn] / ˈhaɪ əˌlin, -lɪn, ˈhaɪ ə lɪn, -ˌlaɪn /

noun

1. Biochemistry. Also hyalin

   1. a horny substance found in hydatid cysts, closely resembling chitin.

   2. a structureless, transparent substance found in cartilage, the eye, etc., resulting from the pathological degeneration of tissue.

2. something glassy or transparent.

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adjective

1. of or relating to hyaline.

2. glassy or transparent.

3. of or relating to glass.

4. amorphous; not crystalline.

hyaline British  

/ ˈhaɪəlɪn /

adjective

1. biology clear and translucent, with no fibres or granules

2. archaic transparent

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noun

1. archaic a glassy transparent surface

Other Word Forms

• subhyalin adjective
• subhyaline adjective

Etymology

Origin of hyaline

1655–65; < Late Latin hyalinus < Greek hyálinos of glass. See hyal-, -ine ¹

Example Sentences

A third population, which did not produce 15-PGDH and instead expressed genes tied to hyaline cartilage formation and maintenance of the extracellular matrix, rose from 22% to 42%.

From Science Daily • Jan. 20, 2026

Additional tests confirmed that the regenerated tissue was hyaline cartilage rather than the less functional fibrocartilage.

From Science Daily • Jan. 20, 2026

Secondary ossification centers form in the epiphyses as blood vessels and osteoblasts enter these areas and convert hyaline cartilage into spongy bone.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Some success has been achieved in treating hyaline membrane disease by spraying a surfactant into the infant's breathing passages.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

He remarks also that he observed hyaline degeneration of the intima of arteries in the spleen.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

Related Words

• glazed
• icy
• shiny
• sleek