Definition of chitin Chitin

chi•tin

We found 6 definitions of chitin from 6 different sources.

What does chitin mean?

WordNet

Noun

Plural: chitins

chitin - a tough semitransparent horny substance; the principal component of the exoskeletons of arthropods and the cell walls of certain fungi

polyose, polysaccharide any of a class of carbohydrates whose molecules contain chains of monosaccharide molecules

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Wiktionary

chitin (Noun)
A complex polysaccharide, a polymer of N-acetylglucosamine, found in the exoskeletons of arthropods and in the cell walls of fungi; thought to be responsible for some forms of asthma in humans.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

chitin (n.)
A white amorphous horny substance forming the harder part of the outer integument of insects, crustacea, and various other invertebrates; entomolin.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

chitin
kī′tin, n. the substance which forms most of the hard parts of jointed footed animals.—adj. Chī′tinous. [Fr. chitine—Gr. chiton, a tunic.]

Wikipedia

Chitin is a semitransparent material that is the main component of the exoskeletons of arthropods, such as crustaceans (e.g. crab, lobster and shrimp) and insects (e.g. ants, beetles and butterflies), of the cell walls of fungi, the radula of molluscs and the beaks of cephalopods (e.g. squid, and octopuses). Chitin has also proven useful for several medical and industrial purposes.

Part of speech

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chitin, noun, singular of chitins.

Pronunciation

Word frequency

Chitin is...

Very rare

Rare

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Common

Very Common