Polysorbate

noun

1. Any of a class of emulsifiers used in food preparation and in some pharmaceuticals.
2. any of a class of <xref>emulsifiers</xref> used as <xref>food additives</xref> and in <xref>pharmaceutical</xref> preparations; they are derived from <xref>sorbitan</xref> (typically with three <xref>polyoxyethylene</xref> side-chains) <xref>esterified</xref> with a <xref>fatty acid</xref>; they are mostly oily liquids, or soft solids