a grayish-white powder prepared from cellulose that swells to a highly viscous colloidal solution in water: used as a food additive and in water paints, leather tanning, and cosmetics.
A powdery substance that swells in water to form a gel, is prepared by the methylation of natural cellulose, and is used as a food additive, a bulk-forming laxative, an emulsifier, and a thickener.
