cellulose

[ sel-yuh-lohs ]
/ ˈsɛl yəˌloʊs /

noun

an inert carbohydrate, (C6H10O5)n, the chief constituent of the cell walls of plants and of wood, cotton, hemp, paper, etc.

Origin of cellulose

1745–55; < New Latin cellul(a) live cell (see cellular) + -ose2

OTHER WORDS FROM cellulose

cel·lu·los·i·ty [sel-yuh-los-i-tee] /ˌsɛl yəˈlɒs ɪ ti/, noun sem·i·cel·lu·lose, noun

Example sentences from the Web for cellulose

British Dictionary definitions for cellulose

cellulose
/ (ˈsɛljʊˌləʊz, -ˌləʊs) /

noun

a polysaccharide consisting of long unbranched chains of linked glucose units: the main constituent of plant cell walls and used in making paper, rayon, and film

Derived forms of cellulose

cellulosic, adjective, noun

Word Origin for cellulose

C18: from French cellule cell (see cellule) + -ose ²

Medical definitions for cellulose

cellulose
[ sĕlyə-lōs′, -lōz′ ]

n.

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

Scientific definitions for cellulose

cellulose
[ sĕlyə-lōs′ ]

A carbohydrate that is a polymer composed of glucose units and that is the main component of the cell walls of most plants. It is insoluble in water and is used to make paper, cellophane, textiles, explosives, and other products.
See cellulose acetate.

Cultural definitions for cellulose

cellulose
[ (sel-yuh-lohs) ]

A stringy, fibrous substance that forms the main material in the cell walls of plants. Cellulose is an organic molecule (see also organic molecules), composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.