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zein

American  
[zee-in] / ˈzi ɪn /

noun

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

  2. a synthetic fiber produced from this protein.


zein British  
/ ˈziːɪn /

noun

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

"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

Etymology

Origin of zein

1815–25; < New Latin Ze ( a ) the maize genus ( Latin: emmer < Greek zeiá barley, wheat; cognate with Sanskrit yáva grain) + -in 2

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.

"This is a quiet photo that speaks loudly," said World Press Photo executive director Joumana El Zein Khoury.

From BBC

Assad and his wife have three children: Hafez, the PhD student, Zein and Karim.

From BBC

Samia el Zein, 53, said that she, too, had hit the road in the morning in a good mood, thrilled at the thought of returning to her own bed.

From New York Times

Her brother, Mohammad el Zein, 55, had arrived earlier and swept the shards of glass into neat piles.

From New York Times

“We’re not feeling the victory,” Mr. Zein said.

From New York Times