a ropy slime which forms on the surface of alcoholic liquids during acetogenic fermentation and is used to initiate such fermentation in other…

spec. = mother of vinegar n. at compounds 1.

= sporopollenin, n.

A substance which forms the main constituent of birdlime, chiefly obtained from the berries and other parts of the mistletoe.

English regional. = mother, n.2 rare.

Chemistry. A volatile liquid obtained from wood-spirit, also called lignone, n. Also attributive.

A fragrant liquid which is a major constituent of the essential oils of anise, fennel, and some other plants, and is used as a flavouring agent.

A nitrogenous substance, C5H4N4O, found in the muscle, spleen, heart, etc. of vertebrates, and forming a white crystalline powder; also called sarcine…

A chemical substance which is the principal constituent of silk, cobwebs, and the horny skeleton of sponges.

Chemistry. A white amorphous substance, the principal constituent of gutta-percha.

A substance supposed to be contained in flowers: see quot. 1864.

‘The neutral odoriferous principle of vanilla’ (Watts).

A quinone derivative, C16H16O6, which is obtained when wood-vinegar is treated with potassium dichromate and which crystallizes in small…

(See quots.)

= phloroglucinol, n.

7-hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin, C10H8O4.

A fructan present in the rhizome of the yellow iris, Iris pseudacorus.

(See quot. 1888.)

A carbohydrate present in agar and also obtained from carrots and beet.

An oily phenolic liquid causing skin irritation which is present in various plants and is the main constituent of the lacquer obtained from the…

Any chemical obtained from part of a tree.

An opine, C11H20N4O4, synthesized by plant cells which are infected by tumour-inducing plasmids found in a strain of the crown gall bacterium Agrob…