isinglass

noun /ˈaɪzɪŋɡlɑːs/

1. A thin, transparent sheet of mica (probably from its similarity to true isinglass and/or resulting from confusion with the term Muscovy glass for glazing made from mica, but also used for isinglass, which was chiefly produced in the Caspian Sea region of Russia, or Muscovy).

   uncountable

   TALC. / GENUS I. / ISINGLASS. / VITRUM. / Compoſed of broad, flat, cloſe, poliſhed Plates.

Where it comes from

Apparently from obsolete Dutch huisenblas, from German Hausenblase, from Hausen (“sturgeon of the Huso genus”) + Blase (“bladder”), with alteration after glass.

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry isinglass (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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