collodion
UK /kəˈləʊdiən/ · US /kəˈloʊdiən/ noun
Forms collodions
- noun A syrupy solution of nitrocellulose (pyroxylin) in alcohol and ether that evaporates on a surface to form a clear elastic film; used in surgical dressings, photographic plates and lacquer paints.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin collodium, from Ancient Greek κολλώδης (kollṓdēs, “sticky”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun A solution of pyroxylin (soluble gun cotton) in ether containing a varying proportion of alcohol. It is strongly adhesive, and is used by surgeons as a containing for wounds; but its chief application is as a vehicle for the sensitive film in photography.
Etymology [Gr. Colloid.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “collodion”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details