isinglass

American  

[ahy-zuhn-glas, -glahs, ahy-zing-] / ˈaɪ zənˌglæs, -ˌglɑs, ˈaɪ zɪŋ- /

noun

1. 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.

2. mica, especially in thin, translucent sheets.

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isinglass British  

/ ˈaɪzɪŋˌɡlɑːs /

noun

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

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isinglass Scientific  

/ ī′zən-glăs′,ī′zĭng- /

1. 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.

2. Mica, especially in the form of the mineral muscovite.

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Etymology

Origin of isinglass

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

Example Sentences

Bentonite clay, gelatin, egg albumin from egg whites, purified milk proteins called casein and isinglass made from the bladders of sturgeons, are all used to filter the wine through a process called “fining.”

From National Geographic

Occasionally, bottles are fined, or clarified, with animal products like egg whites, milk casein or isinglass, which comes from fish.

From New York Times

He kept the isinglass curtains snapped to the windows to cut off the draughts, and tight around his neck he wore his gray wool shawl.

From Literature

Fining works the same way, using proteins such as albumin from egg whites, casein from milk, or isinglass from, well, fish guts.

From Washington Post

It was made of numerous isinglass windows with just enough thin carved iron to form a framework.

From Literature