methyl cellulose
noun Chemistry.
a grayish-white powder prepared from cellulose that swells to a highly viscous colloidal solution in water: used as a food additive and in water paints, leather tanning, and cosmetics.
Origin of methyl cellulose
First recorded in 1920–25
Words nearby methyl cellulose
methuselah,
methyl,
methyl acetate,
methyl alcohol,
methyl bromide,
methyl cellulose,
methyl chloride,
methyl chloroform,
methyl chloroformate,
methyl ethyl ketone,
methyl formate
Medical definitions for methylcellulose
methylcellulose
[ mĕth′əl-sĕl′yə-lōs′, -lōz′ ]
n.
A powdery substance that swells in water to form a gel, is prepared by the methylation of natural cellulose, and is used as a food additive, a bulk-forming laxative, an emulsifier, and a thickener.