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methyl cellulose

noun Chemistry.
  1. 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.
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Origin of methyl cellulose

First recorded in 1920–25
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
methylcellulose in Medicine

methylcellulose

(mĕth′əl-sĕl′yə-lōs′, -lōz′)
n.
  1. 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.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.