'Isinglass' definitions:

Definition of 'isinglass'

From: WordNet
noun
Any of various minerals consisting of hydrous silicates of aluminum or potassium etc. that crystallize in forms that allow perfect cleavage into very thin leaves; used as dielectrics because of their resistance to electricity [syn: mica, isinglass]

Definition of 'Isinglass'

From: GCIDE
  • Isinglass \I"sin*glass\, n. [Prob. corrupted fr. D. huizenblas (akin to G. hausenblase), lit., bladder of the huso, or large sturgeon; huizen sturgeon + blas bladder. Cf. Bladder, Blast a gust of wind.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. A semitransparent, whitish, and very pure form of gelatin, chiefly prepared from the sounds or air bladders of various species of sturgeons (as the Acipenser huso) found in the rivers of Western Russia. It used for making jellies, as a clarifier, etc. Cheaper forms of gelatin are not unfrequently so called. Called also fish glue. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Min.) A popular name for mica, especially when in thin sheets. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'isinglass'

From: GCIDE
  • Mica \Mi"ca\, n. [L. mica crumb, grain, particle; cf. F. mica.] (Min.) The name of a group of minerals characterized by highly perfect cleavage, so that they readily separate into very thin leaves, more or less elastic. They differ widely in composition, and vary in color from pale brown or yellow to green or black. The transparent forms are used in lanterns, the doors of stoves, etc., being popularly called isinglass. Formerly called also cat-silver, and glimmer. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The important species of the mica group are: muscovite, common or potash mica, pale brown or green, often silvery, including damourite (also called hydromica and muscovy glass); biotite, iron-magnesia mica, dark brown, green, or black; lepidomelane, iron, mica, black; phlogopite, magnesia mica, colorless, yellow, brown; lepidolite, lithia mica, rose-red, lilac. [1913 Webster] Mica (usually muscovite, also biotite) is an essential constituent of granite, gneiss, and mica slate; biotite is common in many eruptive rocks; phlogopite in crystalline limestone and serpentine. [1913 Webster]
  • Mica diorite (Min.), an eruptive rock allied to diorite but containing mica (biotite) instead of hornblende.
  • Mica powder, a kind of dynamite containing fine scales of mica.
  • Mica schist, Mica slate (Geol.), a schistose rock, consisting of mica and quartz with, usually, some feldspar. [1913 Webster]