Pronunciation: ' zan-th ə n-
Function: noun
Etymology: xanth- (fr. New Latin Xanthomonas, genus name) + 3 -an
Date: 1964
: a polysaccharide that is produced by fermentation of carbohydrates by a gram-negative bacterium ( Xanthomonas campestris ) and is a thickening and suspending agent used especially in pharmaceuticals and prepared foods ― called also xanthan