The Collaborative International Dictionary
Styptic collodion
Collodion \Col*lo"di*on\, n. [Gr. ? like glue; ko`lla glue + ? form. Cf. Colloid.] (Chem.) A solution of pyroxylin (soluble gun cotton) in ether containing a varying proportion of alcohol. It is strongly adhesive, and is used by surgeons as a coating for wounds; but its chief application is as a vehicle for the sensitive film in photography.
Collodion process (Photog.), a process in which a film of sensitized collodion is used in preparing the plate for taking a picture.
Styptic collodion, collodion containing an astringent, as tannin.