A term used for the dried out open structures which have passed a
gel stage during preparation (e.g. silica
gel); and also for dried out compact
macromolecular gels such as gelatin or rubber.
Source:
PAC, 1972, 31, 577
(Manual of Symbols and Terminology for Physicochemical Quantities and Units, Appendix II: Definitions, Terminology and Symbols in Colloid and Surface Chemistry)
on page 606