I. ˈzanˌthāt noun
( -s )
Etymology: xanth- + -ate
: a compound that is a salt or ester of a xanthic acid and that is usually colorless and soluble in the case of the alkali metal salts but yellow and insoluble in the case of the copper salts
sodium xanthate
potassium butyl xanthate C 4 H 9 OCSSK
— compare viscose
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to convert (as alkali cellulose) into a xanthate by reaction with carbon disulfide — compare sulfide