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mucilage
mucilage , thick, glutinous substance, related to the natural gums, comprised usually of protein, polysaccharides, and uranides. It swells but does not dissolve in water. Mucilage is secreted by the seed covers of various plants, including marsh mallows and flaxes and certain seaweeds; it is the chief constituent of agar. In the plant it sometimes serves to check the loss of water to aid germination, to facilitate seed dispersal, and to store food. It is used in medicine as an emollient and a demulcent. Mucilage is employed also as an adhesive, and the term is extended to include other slimy adhesives, especially solutions of gum, such as tragacanth mucilage. |
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"mucilage." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "mucilage." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-mucilage.html "mucilage." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-mucilage.html |
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mucilage
mu·ci·lage / ˈmyoōs(ə)lij/ • n. a viscous secretion or bodily fluid. ∎ a polysaccharide substance extracted as a viscous or gelatinous solution from plant roots, seeds, etc., and used in medicines and adhesives. ∎ an adhesive solution; gum or glue. DERIVATIVES: mu·ci·lag·i·nous / ˌmyoōsəˈlajənəs/ adj. |
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"mucilage." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "mucilage." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-mucilage.html "mucilage." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-mucilage.html |
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mucilage
mucilage Any of a large group of complex polysaccharides frequently present in the cell walls of aquatic plants and in the seed coats of certain other species. Mucilages are hard when dry and slimy when wet. Like gums they probably have a general protective function or serve to anchor the plant. See also glycocalyx; mucigel.
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"mucilage." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "mucilage." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-mucilage.html "mucilage." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-mucilage.html |
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mucilage
mucilage Any of a variety of complex, gum-like carbohydrates that are hard when dry, and slimy and jelly-like when wet. Mucilages are produced by many bacteria and plants. In most cases they contribute to water retention. Some seeds have a mucilaginous coating that absorbs water and thus assists germination.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "mucilage." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "mucilage." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-mucilage.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "mucilage." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-mucilage.html |
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mucilage
mucilage viscous fluid XIV; gummy secretion XVII; (U.S.) adhesive gum XIX. — (O)F. — late L. mūcilāgō, -āgin- musty juice, f. mūcus MUCUS.
Hence mucilaginous XVII. |
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T. F. HOAD. "mucilage." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "mucilage." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-mucilage.html T. F. HOAD. "mucilage." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-mucilage.html |
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mucilage
mucilage (mew-si-lij) n. (in pharmacy) a thick aqueous solution of a gum used as a lubricant in skin preparations, for the production of pills, and for the suspension of insoluble substances.
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"mucilage." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "mucilage." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-mucilage.html "mucilage." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-mucilage.html |
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mucilage
mucilage •abridge, bridge, fridge, frig, midge, ridge
•quayage • verbiage • foliage • lineage
•ferriage
•stowage, towage
•buoyage, voyage
•sewage
•Babbage, cabbage
•garbage • cribbage
•Burbage, herbage
•adage • bandage • yardage • headage
•appendage • windage • bondage
•vagabondage • cordage • poundage
•wordage • staffage • roughage
•baggage • mortgage • luggage
•package, trackage
•tankage • wreckage • breakage
•leakage
•linkage, shrinkage, sinkage
•blockage, dockage, lockage
•boscage • corkage • soakage
•truckage • tallage • assemblage
•railage
•grillage, pillage, spillage, stillage, tillage, village
•pupillage (US pupilage) • sacrilege
•ensilage • mucilage • cartilage
•sortilege • tutelage • curtilage
•privilege
•mileage, silage
•acknowledge, college, foreknowledge, knowledge
•haulage, stallage
•spoilage • Coolidge
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"mucilage." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "mucilage." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-mucilage.html "mucilage." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-mucilage.html |
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