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1. (n.) chitin
a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide, related chemically to cellulose, that forms a semitransparent horny substance and is a principal constituent of the exoskeleton, or outer covering, of insects, crustaceans, and arachnids.
Etymology: (1830–40; < F chitine < Gk chit(Ṓn) tunic, chiton)
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| Definition of 'chitin' |
Princeton's WordNet |
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1. (noun) chitin
a tough semitransparent horny substance; the principal component of the exoskeletons of arthropods and the cell walls of certain fungi
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| Definition of 'chitin' |
Webster Dictionary |
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1. (noun) chitin
a white amorphous horny substance forming the harder part of the outer integument of insects, crustacea, and various other invertebrates; entomolin
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| Definitions of 'chitin' |
The Nuttall Encyclopedia |
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1. chitin
a white horny substance found in the exoskeleton of several invertebrate animals.
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| Definition of 'chitin' |
U.S. National Library of Medicine |
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1. chitin
A linear polysaccharide of beta-1->4 linked units of ACETYLGLUCOSAMINE. It is the second most abundant biopolymer on earth, found especially in INSECTS and FUNGI. When deacetylated it is called CHITOSAN.
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