methylcellulose

noun

A powdery substance that is prepared synthetically by the methylation of natural cellulose, swells in water to form a gel, and is used as a food additive, bulk-forming laxative, emulsifier, and thickener.

noun

A white powdery substance, obtained by the methylation of cellulose, that swells in contact with water to form a gel; it has many industrial applications.