cellophane
cellophane Lexical Profile
cellophane Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A thin, transparent, waterproof sheet material made from regenerated cellulose, widely used as protective packaging for food, flowers, and gifts.
"The florist wrapped the bouquet of fresh roses in crisp cellophane tied with a satin ribbon."
• verb
To wrap, cover, or seal an item in cellophane.
"Workers carefully cellophaned the gift baskets before loading them onto the delivery truck."
Word Nuance & Usage
Although originally a registered trademark for regenerated cellulose film, "cellophane" has become genericized in American English (while remaining a protected trademark in the UK and some other jurisdictions) and is frequently used loosely in everyday speech to refer to any clear plastic wrap.
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in 1912 by Swiss chemist Jacques E. Brandenberger from French "cellophane," a blend of "cellulose" and "diaphane" (transparent, from Ancient Greek diaphanes, meaning "to show through").