Dictionary.com

zein

[ zee-in ]
/ ˈzi ɪn /

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, Zeis gland, Zeist, zeitgeber, Zeitgeist, zeitgeisty
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for zein

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