ˈaljə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: alga + -in
: any of various colloidal substances that occur in or are extracted from marine brown algae, especially giant kelp: as
a. : a naturally occurring mixture held to contain alginic acid and certain of its salts
b. : alginic acid
c. : any soluble salt of alginic acid ; especially : the sodium salt that forms a viscous solution with cold or hot water, that is obtained in the form of a white to brown powder by extraction from kelp with a soda solution, and that is used chiefly as a stabilizing, emulsifying, thickening, coating, or water-holding agent in foods (as ice cream), pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and cold-water paints, in sizing textiles, in creaming rubber latex, and as a base for dental-impression materials