gelatin
    n 1: a colorless water-soluble glutinous protein obtained from
         animal tissues such as bone and skin [syn: gelatin,
         gelatine]
    2: an edible jelly (sweet or pungent) made with gelatin and used
       as a dessert or salad base or a coating for foods [syn:
       gelatin, jelly]
    3: a thin translucent membrane used over stage lights for color
       effects [syn: gelatin, gel]

Gelatin \Gel"a*tin\, Gelatine \Gel"a*tine\, n. [F. g['e]latine,
   fr. L. gelare to congeal. See Geal.] (Chem.)
   Animal jelly; glutinous material obtained from animal tissues
   by prolonged boiling. Specifically (Physiol. Chem.), a
   nitrogeneous colloid, not existing as such in the animal
   body, but formed by the hydrating action of boiling water on
   the collagen of various kinds of connective tissue (as
   tendons, bones, ligaments, etc.). Its distinguishing
   character is that of dissolving in hot water, and forming a
   jelly on cooling. It is an important ingredient of
   calf's-foot jelly, isinglass, glue, etc. It is used as food,
   but its nutritious qualities are of a low order.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: Both spellings, gelatin and gelatine, are in good use,
         but the tendency of writers on physiological chemistry
         favors the form in -in, as in the United States
         Dispensatory, the United States Pharmacop[oe]ia,
         Fownes' Watts' Chemistry, Brande & Cox's Dictionary.
         [1913 Webster]

   Blasting gelatin, an explosive, containing about
      ninety-five parts of nitroglycerin and five of collodion.
      

   Gelatin process, a name applied to a number of processes in
      the arts, involving the use of gelatin. Especially:
   (a) (Photog.) A dry-plate process in which gelatin is used as
       a substitute for collodion as the sensitized material.
       This is the dry-plate process in general use, and plates
       of extreme sensitiveness are produced by it.
   (b) (Print.) A method of producing photographic copies of
       drawings, engravings, printed pages, etc., and also of
       photographic pictures, which can be printed from in a
       press with ink, or (in some applications of the process)
       which can be used as the molds of stereotype or
       electrotype plates.
   (c) (Print. or Copying) A method of producing facsimile
       copies of an original, written or drawn in aniline ink
       upon paper, thence transferred to a cake of gelatin
       softened with glycerin, from which impressions are taken
       upon ordinary paper.

   Vegetable gelatin. See Gliadin.
      [1913 Webster]