isinglass

[ ahy-zuh n-glas, -glahs, ahy-zing- ]

/ ˈaɪ zənˌglæs, -ˌglɑs, ˈaɪ zɪŋ- /

noun

a pure, transparent or translucent form of gelatin, obtained from the air bladders of certain fish, especially the sturgeon: used in glue and jellies and as a clarifying agent.

mica, especially in thin, translucent sheets.

Words nearby isinglass

isidora, isidore of seville, isidorus of miletus, isil, isin, isinglass, isis, isit, iskander bey, iskenderun, iskur

Origin of isinglass

1535–45; < Middle Dutch huysenblase (with glass for blase by folk etymology), literally, sturgeon bladder; cognate with German Hausenblase

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for isinglass

Indoors the hard-coal burner made a tropical temperature, and glowed a warm orange from its isinglass sides.
A Collection of Stories, Reviews and Essays|Willa Cather
Uncle Justus was sitting by the fire, which cast a ruddy glow through the isinglass of the stove.
A Dear Little Girl|Amy E. Blanchard
Put an ounce of isinglass shavings, with a few Jamaica peppercorns, and a toast of bread.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,|Mary Eaton
Size can be made by boiling down vellum cuttings, or by dissolving gelatine or isinglass in warm water.
Bookbinding, and the Care of Books|Douglas Cockerell

The roes are made into caviare, and the sounds and muscular parts into isinglass.
The Sailor's Word-Book|William Henry Smyth

British Dictionary definitions for isinglass

isinglass

/ (ˈaɪzɪŋˌɡlɑːs) /

noun

a gelatine made from the air bladders of freshwater fish, used as a clarifying agent and adhesive

Word Origin for isinglass

C16: from Middle Dutch huysenblase, literally: sturgeon bladder; influenced by English glass

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 isinglass

isinglass

[ ī′zən-glăs′, ī′zĭng- ]

A transparent, almost pure gelatin prepared from the inner membrane of the swim bladder of the sturgeon and certain other fishes. It is used as an adhesive and a clarifying agent.

Mica, especially in the form of the mineral muscovite.