\Gel"a*tin\, Gelatine \Gel"a*tine\, n. [F. g['e]latine,
fr. L. gelare to congeal. See {Geal}.] (Chem.)
Animal jelly; glutinous material obtained from animal tissues
by prolonged boiling. Specifically (Physiol. Chem.), a
nitrogeneous colloid, not existing as such in the animal
body, but formed by the hydrating action of boiling water on
the collagen of various kinds of connective tissue (as
tendons, bones, ligaments, etc.). Its distinguishing
character is that of dissolving in hot water, and forming a
jelly on cooling. It is an important ingredient of
calf's-foot jelly, isinglass, glue, etc. It is used as food,
but its nutritious qualities are of a low order.
Note: Both spellings, gelatin and gelatine, are in good use,
      but the tendency of writers on physiological chemistry
      favors the form in -in, as in the United States
      Dispensatory, the United States Pharmacop[oe]ia,
      Fownes' Watts' Chemistry, Brande & Cox's Dictionary.
{Blasting gelatin}, an explosive, containing about
   ninety-five parts of nitroglycerin and five of collodion.
{Gelatin process}, a name applied to a number of processes in
   the arts, involving the use of gelatin. Especially:
(a) (Photog.) A dry-plate process in which gelatin is used as
    a substitute for collodion as the sensitized material.
    This is the dry-plate process in general use, and plates
    of extreme sensitiveness are produced by it.
(b) (Print.) A method of producing photographic copies of
    drawings, engravings, printed pages, etc., and also of
    photographic pictures, which can be printed from in a
    press with ink, or (in some applications of the process)
    which can be used as the molds of stereotype or
    electrotype plates.
(c) (Print. or Copying) A method of producing facsimile
    copies of an original, written or drawn in aniline ink
    upon paper, thence transferred to a cake of gelatin
    softened with glycerin, from which impressions are taken
    upon ordinary paper.
{Vegetable gelatin}. See {Gliadin}.