clathrate

American  

[klath-reyt] / ˈklæθ reɪt /

adjective

1. Biology. resembling a lattice; divided or marked like latticework.

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noun

1. Chemistry. a substance in which a molecule of one compound fills a cavity within the crystal lattice of another compound.

clathrate British  

/ ˈklæθreɪt /

adjective

1. resembling a net or lattice

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noun

1. chem a solid compound in which molecules of one substance are physically trapped in the crystal lattice of another

Etymology

Origin of clathrate

1615–25; < Latin clāt ( h ) rātus, past participle of clāt ( h ) rāre to fit with bars, verbal derivative of clāt ( h ) ra bars, lattice < Greek, Doric equivalent of Attic klâithra, plural of klêithron bar; see clithral

Example Sentences

Glass hypothesized that the sediment would contain proteins that influence the growth of methane clathrate, and that those proteins would resemble well-known antifreeze proteins in fish, which help them survive in cold environments.

From Science Daily • Sep. 27, 2023

Preventing clathrate formation in natural gas pipelines is a billion-dollar industry.

From Science Daily • Sep. 27, 2023

The team's findings indicate that if microbes exist on other planetary bodies, they might produce similar biomolecules to retain liquid water in channels in the clathrate that could sustain life.

From Science Daily • Sep. 27, 2023

Jacobson, L. C., Hujo, W. & Molinero, V. Thermodynamic stability and growth of guest-free clathrate hydrates: a low-density crystal phase of water.

From Nature • Nov. 7, 2017

Clath′rose, crossed by deep rectangular furrows; Clath′rulate, finely clathrate.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various