colloid

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Glue-like; gelatinous.
noun
  1. A stable system of two phases, one of which is dispersed in the other in the form of very small droplets or particles.
  2. An intimate mixture of two substances, one of which, called the dispersed phase (or colloid), is uniformly distributed in a finely divided state throughout the second substance, called the dispersion medium (or dispersing medium).
  3. A particle less than 1 micron in diameter, following the Wentworth scale

Pronunciation

/ˈkɒlɔɪd/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-colloid.wav

Word forms

colloid more colloid most colloid colloids

Etymology

Etymology tree Ancient Greek κόλλᾰ (kóllă)der. Vulgar Latin colla French colle Proto-Indo-European *weyd- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *wéydos Proto-Hellenic *wéidos Ancient Greek εἶδος (eîdos)der. French -oïde French colloïde English colloid From French colloïde, from Ancient Greek κόλλα (kólla, “glue”) + -oid.

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