isinglass
Americannoun
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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.
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mica, especially in thin, translucent sheets.
noun
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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.
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Mica, especially in the form of the mineral muscovite.
Etymology
Origin of isinglass
1535–45; < Middle Dutch huysenblase (with glass for blase by folk etymology), literally, sturgeon bladder; cognate with German Hausenblase
Vocabulary lists containing isinglass
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bentonite clay, gelatin, egg albumin from egg whites, purified milk proteins called casein and isinglass made from the bladders of sturgeons, are all used to filter the wine through a process called “fining.”
From National Geographic ● Jul. 20, 2023
Each flake of ancient paint was treated with a tiny drop of isinglass, a natural collagen obtained from the swim bladder of a sturgeon, which was applied, heated and pressed down to match the surface.
From New York Times ● Dec. 19, 2016
Now Camra is calling on breweries to leave isinglass out of beer, is a brewing revolution on the cards?
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2016
"More people know now that beer doesn't have to be clear - it doesn't matter what it looks like, and isinglass is just used for aesthetics."
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2016
The fire roared and the flames winked yellow behind the little isinglass windows in the front of the stove.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
