cryoprotectantn.adj.
/ˌkrʌɪə(ʊ)prəˈtɛkt(ə)nt/, U.S. /ˌkraɪoʊprəˈtɛkt(ə)nt/ Chiefly Biology.
A. n.
A cryoprotective substance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > that which or one who heats > [noun] > that which thaws > prevents freezing
anti-freeze1935
cryoprotectant1968
1968 Jrnl. Protozool. 15 723/2 The best cryoprotectants were ethylene glycol, glycerol, and DMSO.
1982 High Technol. Jan.–Feb. 85/1 Researchers..study ways to prevent freeze-thaw damage by using chemical cryoprotectants that pre-condition seeds prior to freezing.
2006 Fashion (Canada) Feb. 63/1 Freezing water forms sharp, damaging ice crystals, so the water must be replaced with cryoprotectant (essentially antifreeze).
B. adj.
= cryoprotective adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > [adjective] > protecting against freezing
cryoprotective1965
cryoprotectant1969
cryoprotecting1972
1969 Surg., Gynecol. & Obstetr. 228 571 (heading) Effects of cryoprotectant compounds on mammalian heart muscle.
1986 Cryo-Lett. 7 355 The cryoprotectant solution utilized in this study was Dimethyl Sulphoxide.
2003 Focus July 73/3 That first stage involves removing the blood and replacing it with a solution containing glycerol, a cryoprotectant fluid.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1968