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.

Nearby words

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. 2019

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

Science 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.