chitin
noun
chi·tin
| \ ˈkī-tᵊn
\
\
Definition of chitin
: a horny polysaccharide (C8H13NO5)n that forms part of the hard outer integument especially of insects, arachnids, and crustaceans
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Other Words from chitin
chitinous
\ ˈkī-tᵊn-əs
, ˈkīt-nəs \
adjective
, ˈkīt-nəs \
adjective
Examples of chitin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The researchers found their answer in a mix of cellulose fibers and chitin, a material commonly found in many animal shells. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Future 'Plastic' Could Be Made From Trees and Crab Shells," 1 Aug. 2018 The scales of chitin (a polysaccharide common to insects) are arranged like roof tiles. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "“Rainbow” weevil could hold the secret to generating nature’s colors in the lab," 23 Sep. 2018 Perhaps the biggest hurdle is the chitin, which is tough to produce is large quantities. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Future 'Plastic' Could Be Made From Trees and Crab Shells," 1 Aug. 2018 Adding products containing chitin to the soil can help reduce problems. — The Editors Of Organic Life, Good Housekeeping, "Grow Healthy Food By Identifying + Treating These Common Plant Diseases," 21 July 2015 The brilliant white of its scales does not derive from a pigment, but rather from intricate networks of chitin filaments. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "Scientists Create a Super-White Coating, with Help from a Super-White Beetle," 15 Mar. 2018 Prices for chitin and chitosan, a refined derivative, range from $10 to $3,000 per pound, depending on quality. — Laine Welch, Anchorage Daily News, "Seafood industry seeks new value in fish parts," 15 Jan. 2018 The exoskeleton of crabs contains chitin, one of the most abundant biodegradable materials in the world. — Laine Welch, Anchorage Daily News, "Seafood industry seeks new value in fish parts," 15 Jan. 2018 Unlike plants, the cell walls of mushrooms are lined with a fibrous substance called chitin, which makes them strong and flexible. — Sarah Gibbens, National Geographic, "This Furniture Is Made Out of Mushrooms," 22 Sep. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chitin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for chitin
chitin
noun
chi·tin
| \ ˈkīt-ᵊn
\
\
Medical Definition of chitin
: a horny polysaccharide that forms part of the hard outer integument especially of insects, arachnids, and crustaceans
Other Words from chitin
chitinous
\ ˈkīt-ᵊn-əs, ˈkīt-nəs
\
adjective
\
adjective