A naturally abundant nutrient carbohydrate, found chiefly in the seeds, fruits, tubers, roots, and stem pith of plants, notably in corn, potatoes, wheat, and rice, and varying widely in appearance according to source but commonly prepared as a white amorphous tasteless powder. Before the War it was used to stiffen fabrics and in the manufacturing of paper. Post-War it is mainly used as a substitute for rare commercial adhesives.
