Plural of glassine, a smooth, transparent or translucent paper made from wood pulp that resists grease and moisture.
From 'glassine' (1890s), a trademark term combining 'glass' + the suffix '-ine' (meaning resembling or containing). The material was developed to mimic glass's smooth, transparent properties while remaining flexible like paper.
Glassines revolutionized food packaging and stamp collecting—collectors still use glassine envelopes to protect rare stamps because the material lets you see what's inside without touching it, and it won't stick to adhesive the way regular paper does.
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