高分子 (gāo fēn zǐ) — (chemistry) macromolecule, polymer

Definition

Technical chemistry term for a very large molecule built from many repeating units — 'macromolecule' or 'polymer'. Distinct from 分子, which refers to any molecule regardless of size.

noun
(chemistry) macromoleculepolymer

Examples

  • 高分子。
    gāo fēn zǐ Cái liào zài rì cháng shēng huó zhōng yìng yòng hěn guǎng fàn.
    Polymer materials are widely used in daily life.
  • 高分子。
    Zhè zhǒng gāo fēn zǐ de fēn zǐ liàng fēi cháng dà.
    The molecular weight of this macromolecule is very large.
  • 高分子。
    Kē xué jiā zhèng zài yán jiū xīn xíng gāo fēn zǐ de hé chéng fāng fǎ.
    Scientists are researching new methods for synthesizing novel polymers.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

高gāohigh
分子molecule
分fēnpart子zǐparticle
偏正Modifier + head

高 means high and 分子 means molecule, so a macromolecule is a high molecule.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

高 was drawn as a tall building.

Open 高 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

分 pairs 八 (to separate) with 刀 (knife), showing something cut apart with a knife.

Open 分 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →

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