n. Any of a group of water-soluble colloidal carbohydrates of high molecular weight found in ripe fruits, such as apples, plums, and grapefruit, and used to jell various foods, drugs, and cosmetics. [French pectine, from Greek pēktos, coagulated, from pēgnunai, to coagulate; see pag- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] pectic, pectin·ous adj. |
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