hyaline

1 of 2

adjective

hy·​a·​line ˈhī-ə-lən  -ˌlīn 

: transparent or nearly so and usually homogeneous

hyaline

2 of 2

noun

hy·​a·​line ˈhī-ə-lən  -ˌlīn 

 in sense 2  -lən,

 or  -ˌlēn

1

: something (such as the clear atmosphere) that is transparent

2

or hyalin

ˈhī-ə-lən 

: any of several translucent nitrogenous substances related to chitin, found especially around cells, and readily stained by eosin

Examples of hyaline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The medical breakthrough led to further developments, including Dr. Stahlman’s research on pulmonary function, the physiology of lung cells and a treatment using surfactant, a protein that is deficient in babies with hyaline membrane disease. —Matt Schudel, Washington Post, 3 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Late Latin hyalinus, from Greek hyalinos, from hyalos

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1661, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hyaline

• hyaline cartilage

Medical Definition

hyaline

1 of 2 adjective

hy·​a·​line ˈhī-ə-lən  -ˌlīn 

: transparent or nearly transparent and usually homogeneous

hyaline

2 of 2 noun

1

or hyalin

-ə-lən 

: a nitrogenous substance closely related to chitin that forms the main constituent of the walls of hydatid cysts and yields a sugar on decomposition

2

: any of several translucent substances similar to hyaline that collect around cells, are capable of being stained by eosin, and yield a carbohydrate as a cleavage product