polymer

a. [ Poly- + Gr. &unr_; part. ] (Chem.) Having the same percentage composition (that is, having the same elements united in the same proportion by weight), but different molecular weights; -- often used with with; thus, cyanic acid (CNOH), fulminic acid (C2N2O2H2), and cyanuric acid (C3N3O3H3), are polymeric with each other. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The figures expressing the number of atoms of each element in a number of polymeric substances are respectively multiples and factors of each other, or have some simple common divisor. The relation may be merely a numerical one, as in the example given above, or a chemical one, as in the case of aldehyde, paraldehyde, and metaldehyde. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) (a) The state, quality, or relation of two or more polymeric substances. (b) The act or process of forming polymers. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) The act or process of changing to a polymeric form; the condition resulting from such change. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. (Chem.) To cause polymerization of; to produce polymers from; to increase the molecular weight of, without changing the atomic proportions; thus, certain acids polymerize aldehyde. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. (Chem.) To change into another substance having the same atomic proportions, but a higher molecular weight; to undergo polymerization; thus, aldehyde polymerizes in forming paraldehyde. [ 1913 Webster ]