from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
chondroitin sulfate \chon*dro"it*in sul"fate\
(k[o^]n*dr[=o]"[i^]*t[i^]n s[u^]l"f[=a]t), n. [Gr. cho`ndros
cartilage.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A colorless, amorphous, mucopolysaccharide having N-acetyl
chondrosine as the repeating unit with one sulfate group per
disaccharide. Typical preparations have a molecular weight of
about 50,000. Preparations are sold over-the-counter, often
referred to as {chondroitin}, with the putative ability to
relieve pain in joints and assist joint cartilage growth or
regeneration; such claims are, as of 2001, yet unproven.
[PJC]