isinglass

English

Wikipedia

Etymology

Apparently from obsolete Dutch huisenblas, German Hausenblase (“sturgeon's bladder”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈaɪzɪŋɡlɑːs/
• (US) IPA: /ˈaɪzɪŋɡlæs/

  Rhymes: -ɑːs

Noun

isinglass (usually uncountable; plural isinglasses)

1. A form of gelatine obtained from the air bladder of the sturgeon and certain other fish, used as an adhesive and as a clarifying agent for wine and beer.
2. A thin, transparent sheet of mica.
   • 1943, Oscar Hammerstein II, "The Surrey With The Fringe On Top", Oklahoma! (libretto):

     The dashboard's genuine leather, / With isinglass curtains y' can roll right down, / In case there's a change in the weather.

Quotations

• For usage examples of this term, see the citations page.

Translations

gelatine obtained from fish

• Finnish: kalaliima (fi)

• Vietnamese: thạch (vi)