amyloid, a. and n.
(ˈæmɪlɔɪd)
[G. (Vogel and Schleiden 1839, in Ann. Phys. & Chem. XLVI. 327), f. L. amylum (see amyl1) + ]
A. adj.
1. Having the form or nature of starch, starch-like.
| 1857 Henfrey Elem. Bot. §671 Semi-gelatinous layers of thickening met with in..certain seeds (called amyloid). 1877 Athenæum 1 Dec. 703/1 These yellow cells contain not oil but amyloid substances. |
2. Path. Applied to a form of degeneration of various organs, or to the albuminoid substance (formerly supposed to be akin to starch) produced in this; = lardaceous a.
| 1859 J. Paget Let. 14 June in Mem. & Lett. (1901) 224, I have only a very imperfect knowledge..of what has been done..on amyloid degeneration. 1872 Thudichum Chem. Phys. 5 The term amyloid is perfectly correct as applied to this particular degeneration. 1873 [see lardaceous a.]. 1879 Syd. Soc. Lex. s.v., Late observations clearly show that amyloid substance is not a starch, but a nitrogenous body; its exact composition is not known. 1881 [see cholesterin]. |
B. n.
1. A substance akin to starch; any member of the group of carbohydrates including starch and related substances, as cellulose.
| 1872 Huxley Phys. vi. 134 Amyloids are substances which also consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen only. 1873 Le Conte in B. Stewart Conserv. Force vii. 177 The plastic matters of which vegetable structure is built are of two kinds—amyloids and albuminoids. |
2. Chem. The substance formed in amyloid degeneration, also called lardacein.