noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   A syrupy solution of nitrocellulose (pyroxylin) in alcohol and ether that evaporates on a surface to form a clear elastic film; used in surgical dressings, photographic plates and lacquer paints. countable, uncountable

   "The mysterious odour of collodion permeates these memories."

2. 2
   a colorless syrupy solution of pyroxylin in ether and alcohol; used as a coating for wounds or photographic films wordnet

Example

More examples

"The mysterious odour of collodion permeates these memories."

Etymology

From Medieval Latin collodium, from Ancient Greek κολλώδης (kollṓdēs, “sticky”).

Related phrases

photographic plate

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.