Meanings
nouncollodion (countable and uncountable, plural collodions)
plural collodions
- countableuncountableA 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.
The mysterious odour of collodion permeates these memories.
1993, Rikki Ducornet, The Jade Cabinet, Dalkey Archive Press, page 141 more example
For all this, the worn collodion image gracing his memoirs shows a man of estimable appearance in a sober woolen suit and brocade waistcoat.
2008, Harriet A. Washington, “Profitable Wonders”, in Medical Apartheid, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, page 52
Origin
- Ancient Greekκολλώδης“sticky”
- Medieval Latincollodium
- Englishcollodion
From Medieval Latin collodium, from Ancient Greek κολλώδης (kollṓdēs, “sticky”).
More words from Medieval Latin, Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Catalan col·lodió
- col·lodiónitrocellulose solution
Dutch collodion
- collodionnitrocellulose solution
French collodion
- collodionnitrocellulose solution
Greek κολλώδιο
- κολλώδιο (kollódio)nitrocellulose solution
Spanish colodión
- colodiónnitrocellulose solution
Turkish kolodyum
- kolodyumnitrocellulose solution
Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with collodion
All rhymes →Cite this entry
APA
collodion. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/collodion
MLA
“collodion.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/collodion. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “collodion,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/collodion.
Source: collodion on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.