collagène

collagen

noun koh-lah-ZHEN Rare

Origin: From Greek 'kolla' (glue) + 'gennan' (to produce); named because it yields gelatin when boiled.

Usage Note

Collagène is the most abundant structural protein in the body, found in skin, bones, and tendons; its name literally means 'glue-producing'. In French beauty marketing, crème au collagène (collagen cream) is widely advertised. The adjective form is collagénique or more commonly à base de collagène. Pronounced with a soft 'g' (zh sound).

Examples

"Le collagène donne à la peau son élasticité."

Natural Translation

Collagen gives the skin its elasticity.

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