Pectin

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  pectin \pec"tin\ (p[e^]k"t[i^]), n. [Gr. phkto`s curdled,
     congealed, from phgny`nai to make fast or stiff: cf. F.
     pectine.] (Chem.)
     One of a series of carbohydrates, commonly called {vegetable
     jelly}, found very widely distributed in the vegetable
     kingdom, especially in ripe fleshy fruits, as apples,


     cranberries, etc. It is extracted as variously colored,
     translucent substances, which are soluble in hot water but
     become viscous on cooling. It is commonly used in making
     fruit jelllies.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  pectin
       n : any of various water-soluble colloidal carbohydrates that
           occur in ripe fruit and vegetables; used in making fruit
           jellies and jams