I. ˈjel noun
( -s )
Etymology: -gel (as in hydrogel, alcogel ), from gelatin
: a colloid in a more solid form than a sol: as
a. : a semisolid apparently homogeneous substance that may be elastic and jellylike (as gelatin) or more or less rigid (as silica gel) and that is formed by coagulation of a sol in various ways (as by cooling, by evaporation, or by precipitation with an electrolyte) : a disperse system consisting typically of a high-molecular-weight compound or an aggregate of small particles in very close association with a liquid — see aerogel , jelly 2a, xerogel
b. : a nonhomogeneous gelatinous precipitate : coagel
II. intransitive verb
( gelled ; gelled ; gelling ; gels )
: to change into or take on the form of a gel : become more solid : set — compare solate
• gel·able -ləbəl adjective
III. abbreviation
gelatinous
IV. noun
1. : a thin colored transparent sheet used over a stage light to color it
2. : a gelatinous preparation used in styling hair