Word Study
zein
CIDE DICTIONARY
zein, n. [Cf. F. zéïne. See Zea.].
A nitrogenous substance of the nature of gluten, obtained from the seeds of Indian corn (Zea ) as a soft, yellowish, amorphous substance. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
zein, n. Biochem. the principal protein of maize.
Etymology
Zea the generic name of maize + -IN
For further exploring for "zein" in Webster Dictionary Online
