cross-link

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

cross-link, n. 

 a covalent bond that links two chains of atoms, or two sections of one chain, in a polymeric molecule; the cross-link is created by a third bond in a monomer unit in addition to the two bonds forming the polymeric chain; -- a cross-link may be internal to a single chain, rather than between two otherwise unlinked chains; as, ultraviolet irradiation creates cross-links between the two chains of a DNA double helix; many enzymes have cross-links formed by disulfide bonds; polystyrene resins have their porosity controlled by the proportion of cross-links. Called also cross-linkage.  [WordNet 1.5]

cross-link, v. t. 

 to create cross links in; -- of polymeric molecules.  [PJC]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

cross-link, n. (also cross-linkage) Chem. a bond between chains of atoms in a polymer etc.