Word Study
isinglass
CIDE DICTIONARY
isinglass, n. [Prob. corrupted fr. D. huizenblas (akin to G. hausenblase), lit., bladder of the huso, or large sturgeon; huizen sturgeon + blas bladder. Cf. Bladder, Blast a gust of wind.].
- A semitransparent, whitish, and very pure form of gelatin, chiefly prepared from the sounds or air bladders of various species of sturgeons (as the
Acipenser huso ) found in the rivers of Western Russia. It used for making jellies, as a clarifier, etc. Cheaper forms of gelatin are not unfrequently so called. Called alsofish glue . [1913 Webster] - A popular name for mica, especially when in thin sheets. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
isinglass, n.
1 a kind of gelatin obtained from fish, esp. sturgeon, and used in making jellies, glue, etc.
2 mica.
1 a kind of gelatin obtained from fish, esp. sturgeon, and used in making jellies, glue, etc.
2 mica.
Etymology
corrupt. of obs. Du. huisenblas sturgeon's bladder, assim. to GLASS
ROGET THESAURUS
isinglass
Semiliquidity
N semiliquidity, stickiness, viscidity, viscosity, gummosity, glutinosity, mucosity, spissitude, crassitude, lentor, adhesiveness, inspissation, incrassation, thickening, jelly, mucilage, gelatin, gluten, carlock, fish glue, ichthyocol, ichthycolla, isinglass, mucus, phlegm, goo, pituite, lava, glair, starch, gluten, albumen, milk, cream, protein, treacle, gum, size, glue (tenacity), wax, beeswax, emulsion, soup, squash, mud, slush, slime, ooze, moisture, marsh, semifluid, semiliquid, tremellose, half melted, half frozen, milky, muddy, lacteal, lactean, lacteous, lactescent, lactiferous, emulsive, curdled, thick, succulent, uliginous, gelatinous, albuminous, mucilaginous, glutinous, glutenous, gelatin, mastic, amylaceous, ropy, clammy, clotted, viscid, viscous, sticky, tacky, gooey, slab, slabby, lentous, pituitous, mucid, muculent, mucous, gummy.For further exploring for "isinglass" in Webster Dictionary Online