Cellulose is a substance that exists in the cell walls of plants and is used to make paper, plastic, and various fabrics and fibres.
cellulose in British English
(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
cellulosic (ˌcelluˈlosic)
adjective, noun
Word origin
C18: from French cellule cell (see cellule) + -ose2
cellulose in American English
(ˈsɛljuˌloʊs)
noun
the chief substance composing the cell walls or fibers of all plant tissue, a polymeric carbohydrate with the general formula (C6H10O5)x: it is used in the manufacture of paper, textiles, explosives, etc.
Word origin
Fr < L cellula (see cellule) + Fr -ose, -ose1
Examples of 'cellulose' in a sentence
cellulose
Also, she had found in the wounds microscopic particles of a glue made from a resin base, plus traces of cellulose.
Duncan, Robert L THE SERPENT'S MARK (1989)
There had also been cellulose residue which the lab tech explained away as the cardboard containers in which the explosives had been packed.
Clancy, Tom CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (1989)
All related terms of 'cellulose'
alpha-cellulose
a refined , insoluble form of cellulose derived from cotton or wood pulp , and used in manufacturing
ethyl cellulose
an ethyl ether of cellulose obtained as a white granular solid by treating wood pulp soaked in sodium hydroxide ( alkali cellulose ) with ethyl chloride : used in adhesives, plastics, insulation , etc.
cellulose acetate
nonflammable material made by acetylating cellulose : used in the manufacture of film, dopes , lacquers , and artificial fibres
cellulose nitrate
a compound made by treating cellulose with nitric and sulphuric acids, used in plastics , lacquers , and explosives : a nitrogen-containing ester of cellulose
cellulose varnish
a varnish made from cellulose nitrate , used as a protective sealing film
microcrystalline cellulose
Microcrystalline cellulose is a polymer used as a binder in tablets because it is stable, compressible, and disintegrates quickly.