polysorbate

[ pol-ee-sawr-beyt, -bit ]

noun

1. any of a class of emulsifying and dispersing agents used in various foods and pharmaceutical preparations.

polysorbate

/ pŏl′ē-sôr′bāt′ /

1. Any of a class of emulsifiers used in food preparation and in some pharmaceuticals. Polysorbates are fatty acid esters with short polyethylene chains branching out from a central ring.

Word History and Origins

Origin of polysorbate¹

First recorded in 1950–55; poly- + sorbate