zein

[zee-in]

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

/ ˈziːɪn /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of zein¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of zein¹

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

Example Sentences

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

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

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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.

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

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

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