-mel'-

{ ‖‖ } n. [ Sp., prop. p. p. of melar to sugar, candy, fr. L. mel honey. See Molasses. ] A mixture of sugar and molasses; crude sugar as it comes from the pans without being drained. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. me`las, m., me`laina, f., black. ] (Med.) A discharge from the bowels of black matter, consisting of altered blood. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Melaena. ] The dark coloring matter of the liquid of the cuttlefish. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Melanotype. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. mélam. ] (Chem.) A white or buff-colored granular powder, C6H9N11, obtained by heating ammonium sulphocyanate. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>n. (Chem.) A nitrogenous strongly basic chemical substance (C3H6N6), structurally 2, 4, 6-triamino-1, 3, 5-triazine, produced from several cyanogen compounds, and obtained as a white crystalline substance; -- formerly supposed to be produced by the decomposition of melam. Called also cyanuramide. It is used as one of the starting components (together with formaldehyde) in the preparation of melamine resins, including the commercially marketed Formica (TM). It is solid at room temperature, and sublimes at temperatures approaching 250° C, decomposing at 345° C. Density 1.573. HCP61 [ 1913 Webster + PJC ]

n. A thermosetting plastic formed by the reaction of melamine and formaldehyde. It is used for molding and for preparing laminated sheets used to surface counter tops, walls, and furniture. The commercially marketed Formica (TM) is one type of melamine resin. [ PJC ]

n. [ Gr. melampo`dion; of uncertain origin. ] The black hellebore. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]