I. ˈkē-ˌlāt also ˈchē- adjective
Date: 1826
1. : resembling or having chelae
2.
[from the pincerlike way in which the metal ion is held]
: of, relating to, or being a chelate
II. verb
( che·lat·ed ; che·lat·ing )
Date: 1922
transitive verb
: to combine with (a metal) so as to form a chelate ring
intransitive verb
: to react so as to form a chelate ring
• che·lat·able -ˌlā-tə-bəl adjective
III. noun
Date: 1943
: a compound having a ring structure that usually contains a metal ion held by coordinate bonds