haitsai

noun

hai·​tsai

ˈhīˈtsī

plural -s

1

: a transparent gelatinous substance prepared from a red alga (Gloiopeltis tenax) and used by the Chinese for lanterns and windows and for stiffening cloth

2

: the alga that yields haitsai

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Pekingese) hai³-t'sai⁴, from hai³ sea + t'sai⁴ herb, green vegetable

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