n.
Pronunciation: ' k ī -t ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: French chitine, from Greek chit ō n
Date: circa 1839
: a horny polysaccharide (C 8 H 13 NO 5 ) n that forms part of the hard outer integument especially of insects, arachnids, and crustaceans
– chi · tin · ous \ ' k ī -t ə n- ə s, ' k ī t-n ə s \ adjective