dimer

American  

[dahy-mer] / ˈdaɪ mər /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a molecule composed of two identical, simpler molecules.

2. a polymer derived from two identical monomers.

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dimer British  

/ ˈdaɪmə /

noun

1. chem

   1. a molecule composed of two identical simpler molecules (monomers)

   2. a compound consisting of dimers

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dimer Scientific  

/ dī′mər /

1. Any of various chemical compounds made of two smaller identical or similar molecules (called monomers) that are linked together. Dimers are linked by hydrogen bonds, coordinate bonds, or covalent bonds. Sucrose is a dimer composed of the monomers glucose and fructose.

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Other Word Forms

• dimeric adjective

Etymology

Origin of dimer

First recorded in 1905–10; di- ¹ + -mer

Example Sentences

When two nearby ions attempt to share an electron across a bond, they may form what scientists call an atomic dimer.

From Science Daily

Both versions of the verticillin molecule are built from two identical halves that must be connected into a structure called a dimer.

From Science Daily

Many immune receptors function in pairs called dimers, but to date, PD-1 has been thought to function alone, not in the dimer form.

From Science Daily

Further analysis using X-ray crystallography and thermodynamic simulations revealed that tetramer formation is driven by hydrophobic interactions occurring between two 3D-DS dimers.

From Science Daily

After one particularly bad morning, an urgent care visit revealed that she had high blood levels of “D dimer,” a protein fragment that indicates the presence of clots.

From New York Times