pol·y·mer (p l  -mr)n. Any of numerous natural and synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units, each a relatively light and simple molecule. [Greek polumer  s, consisting of many parts : polu-, poly- + meros, part; see (s)mer-2 in Indo-European roots.] |
polymer [ˈpɒlɪmə]
n
| polymer (pl-mr) Any of various chemical compounds made of smaller, identical molecules (called monomers) linked together. Some polymers, like cellulose, occur naturally, while others, like nylon, are artificial. Polymers have extremely high molecular weights, make up many of the tissues of organisms, and have extremely varied and versatile uses in industry, such as in making plastics, concrete, glass, and rubber.  The process by which molecules are linked together to form polymers is called polymerization (pl -l mr--z shn). |
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| Noun | 1. | polymer - a naturally occurring or synthetic compound consisting of large molecules made up of a linked series of repeated simple monomers chemical compound, compound - (chemistry) a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion by weight deoxyribonucleic acid, desoxyribonucleic acid, DNA - (biochemistry) a long linear polymer found in the nucleus of a cell and formed from nucleotides and shaped like a double helix; associated with the transmission of genetic information; "DNA is the king of molecules" ribonucleic acid, RNA - (biochemistry) a long linear polymer of nucleotides found in the nucleus but mainly in the cytoplasm of a cell where it is associated with microsomes; it transmits genetic information from DNA to the cytoplasm and controls certain chemical processes in the cell; "ribonucleic acid is the genetic material of some viruses" synthetic resin - a resin having a polymeric structure; especially a resin in the raw state; used chiefly in plastics copolymer - a polymer consisting of two or more different monomers polyurethan, polyurethane - any of various polymers containing the urethane radical; a wide variety of synthetic forms are made and used as adhesives or plastics or paints or rubber lignin - a complex polymer; the chief constituent of wood other than carbohydrates; binds to cellulose fibers to harden and strengthen cell walls of plants polyamide, polymeric amide - a polymer containing repeated amide groups silicone, silicone polymer - any of a large class of siloxanes that are unusually stable over a wide range of temperatures; used in lubricants and adhesives and coatings and synthetic rubber and electrical insulation trimer - a polymer (or a molecule of a polymer) consisting of three identical monomers |
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