CELLULOSE

cellulose

(noun) a polysaccharide that is the chief constituent of all plant tissues and fibers

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

cellulose (countable and uncountable, plural celluloses)

A complex carbohydrate that forms the main constituent of the cell wall in most plants and is important in the manufacture of numerous products, such as paper, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and explosives.

(organic compound) A polysaccharide containing many glucose units in parallel chains.

Synonyms

• E460 when used as an emulsifier

Adjective

cellulose (not comparable)

Consisting of, or containing, cells.

Source: Wiktionary

Cel"lu*lose`, a.

Definition: Consisting of, or containing, cells.

Cel"lu*lose`, n. (Chem.)

Definition: The substance which constitutes the essential part of the solid framework of plants, of ordinary wood, linen, paper, etc. It is also found to a slight extent in certain animals, as the tunicates. It is a carbohydrate, (C6H10O5)n, isomeric with starch, and is convertible into starches and sugars by the action of heat and acids. When pure, it is a white amorphous mass. See Starch, Granulose, Lignin. Unsized, well bleached linen paper is merely pure cellulose. Goodale. Starch cellulose, the delicate framework which remains when the soluble part (granulose) of starch is removed by saliva or pepsin. Goodale.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition