cryoprotectiveadj.
/ˌkrʌɪə(ʊ)prəˈtɛktɪv/, U.S. /ˌkraɪoʊprəˈtɛktɪv/ Chiefly Biology.
Chiefly of chemicals: giving protection to living tissues, organs, etc., against damage caused by freezing temperatures.
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the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > [adjective] > protecting against freezing
cryoprotective1965
cryoprotectant1969
cryoprotecting1972
1965 Long-term Preserv. Red Blood Cells: Proc. Conf. Comm. Blood & Transfusion Probl. 1964 (National Acad. Sci.-National Res. Council (U.S.) Div. Med. Sci.) 160 We have found the cryoprotective actions of glycerol and DMSO to be identical when their molar concentrations are equal.
1973 Nature 15 June 371/1 The eggs were then frozen to −196°C with dimethylsulphoxide, a cryoprotective (antifreeze) agent, replacing some of the water in the embryo cells to prevent ice forming within them.
2000 Sun-Herald (Sydney) 18 June 40/1 The blood is then replaced by a cryoprotective anti-freeze liquid called glycerol.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1965