Word Study
chitin
CIDE DICTIONARY
chitin, n. [See Chiton.].
A white amorphous horny substance forming the harder part of the outer integument of insects, crustacea, and various other invertebrates; entomolin. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
chitin, n. Chem. a polysaccharide forming the major constituent in the exoskeleton of arthropods and in the cell walls of fungi.
Derivative
chitinous adj.
Etymology
F chitine irreg. f. Gk khiton: see CHITON
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