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DictionarymucilageSticky plant substance
noun

mucilage

MYOO-suh-lij/ˈmjusəlɪdʒ/

A sticky substance secreted by certain plants.

Clear mucilage stretches between the cut halves of the aloe leaf.

Close-up cut aloe leaf with thick clear sticky plant gel stretching between its halves, drawn texture, no people.
Etymology
mucilageLatinmusty or moldy juice

The Latin term meant “musty or moldy juice.” In English, the word named viscous plant material and later also the sticky gum used as glue.

In context

HeyKnottyGirl4:08
It does this with the mucilage, which is gel-like substance that becomes slippery when wet.
Adwoa Beauty’s new Melonberry Smoothing Gel did this!?

More examples

  • Mucilage gives cooked okra its slippery texture.
  • Chia seeds release mucilage when soaked in water.
  • The plant's mucilage helps it retain water.

Forms

mucilage

mucilaginous adjective — Containing or producing a sticky plant substance.

Similar words

gum
Often released after injury, rather than produced during normal growth.
slime
A broader term for any slippery, sticky, wet substance.