zein

[ zee-in ]

/ ˈzi ɪn /

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noun

Biochemistry. a soft, yellow powder of simple proteins obtained from corn, used chiefly in the manufacture of textile fibers, plastics, and paper coatings.

a synthetic fiber produced from this protein.

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Origin of zein

1815–25; <New Latin Ze(a) the maize genus (Latin: emmer <Greek zeiá barley, wheat; cognate with Sanskrit yáva grain) + -in²

Words nearby zein

Zeelander, Zeeman, Zeeman effect, Zeffirelli, ZEG, zein, Zeist, zeitgeber, zeitgeist, zeitgeisty, zek

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use zein in a sentence

Meanwhile, residents of Bracha settlement attacked Burin village, throwing Molotov cocktails at Bashir al-Zein's home.
Report: Israel Finds Tunnels Under West Bank Wall|Orly Halpern|June 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When he came in to Zein ul Asnam, the latter rose to him and received him with the utmost reverence.
Alaeddin and the Enchanted Lamp|John Payne
The protein of wheat is called gluten—that of Indian corn is zein—that of beans and peas is legumin.
The Elements of Agriculture|George E. Waring
Mahomed Zein had not followed the example of some of his followers, and died fighting to the last.
With Kitchener in the Soudan|G. A. Henty

Many prisoners were captured, including the Dervish leader, Mohammed Zein.
The Egyptian campaigns, 1882 to 1885|Charles Royle
Examples of these proteins may be seen in the gliadin of wheat, zein of corn, and hordein of barley.
Dietetics for Nurses|Fairfax T. Proudfit

British Dictionary definitions for zein

zein

/ (ˈziːɪn) /

noun

a protein of the prolamine group occurring in maize and used in the manufacture of plastics, paper coatings, adhesives, etc

Word Origin for zein

C19: from New Latin zēa maize, from Latin: a kind of grain, from Greek zeia barley

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012