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HOMOGENIZATION

 - 5 dictionary results

ho⋅mog⋅e⋅nize

[huh-moj-uh-nahyz, hoh-] verb, -nized, -niz⋅ing.
–verb (used with object)
1. to form by blending unlike elements; make homogeneous.
2. to prepare an emulsion, as by reducing the size of the fat globules in (milk or cream) in order to distribute them equally throughout.
3. to make uniform or similar, as in composition or function: to homogenize school systems.
4. Metallurgy. to subject (metal) to high temperature to ensure uniform diffusion of components.
–verb (used without object)
5. to become homogenized.
Also, especially British, ho⋅mog⋅e⋅nise.


Origin:
1885–90; homogen(eous) + -ize


ho⋅mog⋅e⋅ni⋅za⋅tion, noun
ho⋅mog⋅e⋅niz⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ho·mog·e·nize   (hə-mŏj'ə-nīz', hō-)   
v.   ho·mog·e·nized, ho·mog·e·niz·ing, ho·mog·e·niz·es

v.   tr.
  1. To make homogeneous.

    1. To reduce to particles and disperse throughout a fluid.

    2. To make uniform in consistency, especially to render (milk) uniform in consistency by emulsifying the fat content.

v.   intr.
To become homogenized.

[From homogeneous.]
ho·mog'e·ni·za'tion (-nĭ-zā'shən) n., ho·mog'e·niz'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ho·mog·e·ni·za·tion
Variant: also British ho·mog·e·ni·sa·tion /hO-"mäj-&-n&-'zA-sh&n, h&-/
Function: noun
1 : the quality or state of being homogenized
2 : the act or process ofhomogenizing

Main Entry: ho·mog·e·nize
Variant: also British ho·mog·e·nise /hO-'mäj-&-"nIz, h&-/
Function:verb
Inflected Forms: -nized also British -nised; -niz·ing also British -nis·ing
transitive senses
1 : to make homogeneous
2 a : to reduce to small particles of uniform size and distribute evenly usually in a liquid b : to reduce the particles of so thatthey are uniformly small and evenly distributed; specifically : to break up the fat globules of (milk) into very fine particles especially by forcing through minute openingshomogenize intransitive senses
: to become homogenized
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Encyclopedia

homogenization

process of reducing a substance, such as the fat globules in milk, to extremely small particles and distributing it uniformly throughout a fluid, such as milk. When milk is properly homogenized, the cream will not rise to the top. The process involves forcing the milk through small openings under high pressure, thus breaking up the fat globules. Cream and other food products, such as peanut butter, may also be homogenized to produce a stable emulsion, i.e., one in which fats or oils will not separate from other elements. A similar process is used in the manufacture of some cosmetics and pharmaceutical products

Learn more about homogenization with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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