pyroxylin

Also py·rox·y·line

[pahy-rok-suh-lin, puh-]

noun

1. a nitrocellulose compound containing fewer nitrate groups than guncotton, used in the manufacture of artificial silk, leather, oilcloth, etc.

pyroxylin

/ paɪˈrɒksɪlɪn /

noun

1. a yellow substance obtained by nitrating cellulose with a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids; guncotton: used to make collodion, plastics, lacquers, and adhesives

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyroxylin¹

1830–40; pyro- + xyl- ( def. ) + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyroxylin¹

C19: from _pyro- + _xyl ( _o ) _- + _-in

Example Sentences

The silk referred to is made from a solution of that inflammable material of tremendous force known as gun-cotton, or pyroxylin.

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The quality of collodion differs according to the proportions of alcohol and ether and the nature of the pyroxylin it contains.

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Raw cotton is used in compounding gun cotton or explosive cotton, also named pyroxylin, and this is used to make collodion, so extensively employed in medicine.

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It consists of ordinary cotton treated with nitric and sulphuric acid and water, and has been named by chemists "pyroxylin," "nitro-cellulose," &c.

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These nitrates are variously known as nitrocellulose, pyroxylin, and gun cotton.

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