Meaning & Definition of word "Agar"
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Agar
/ˈɑːɡɑːr/
noun:
- 1. A gelatinous substance obtained from certain algae, used as a solidifying agent in microbiological culture media and as a food thickener.
- Example: The microbiologist prepared the petri dish by pouring molten agar into it.
- 2. A jelly-like preparation made from agar-agar, used in sweets and desserts.
- Example: The dessert was beautifully molded into shapes using flavored agar.
- 3. A substance used in the culinary world as a vegetarian alternative to gelatin.
- Example: She used agar to create a vegan-friendly jelly for the party.
Etymology
Derived from the Malay word 'agar-agar', referring to jelly.
Common Phrases and Expressions
agar plate:
A dish made with agar used for culturing cells or microorganisms.
agarose gel:
A gel formed from agar used in the electrophoresis of nucleic acids.
agar medium:
A nutrient-rich medium containing agar used for growing microorganisms.
Related Words
gelatin:
A substance derived from collagen used for thickening and stabilizing.
carrageenan:
A substance obtained from red seaweed used as a thickener in food products.
pectin:
A natural thickening agent derived from fruit, used in jams and jellies.
Slang Meanings of agar
Meaning: A fun name for a tricky situation.
Example Sentence: That project turned out to be a total agar!
Meaning: Used humorously to describe a sticky or complicated mess.
Example Sentence: This report is an agar; we need to clean it up.