colloid
Physical Chemistry. a substance made up of a system of particles with linear dimensions in the range of about 10−7 to 5 × 10−5 centimeters dispersed in a continuous gaseous, liquid, or solid medium whose properties depend on the large specific surface area. The particles can be large molecules like proteins, or solid, liquid, or gaseous aggregates and they remain dispersed indefinitely.: Compare aerosol, emulsion, gel, sol4, suspension.
Medicine/Medical. a colloidal substance in the body, as a stored secretion or a cyst.
Physical Chemistry. colloidal.
Origin of colloid
1Other words from colloid
- non·col·loid, noun
- sem·i·col·loid, noun
Words Nearby colloid
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use colloid in a sentence
The charge on a colloid seems to be liable to variation with the nature of the liquid in which it is suspended.
The Elements of Qualitative Chemical Analysis, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2. | Julius StieglitzIn fact, no exact knowledge of the source of electrification of any colloid has yet been obtained.
The Elements of Qualitative Chemical Analysis, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2. | Julius StieglitzWe may even have one and the same substance—either organic or inorganic—in both conditions, as crystal or as colloid.
The Wonders of Life | Ernst HaeckelA colloid globule suspended in a salt solution in which it is not dissolved may grow by intussusception.
The Wonders of Life | Ernst HaeckelThere remains the question of the precipitation of the tanning colloid at the interface.
Animal Proteins | Hugh Garner Bennett
British Dictionary definitions for colloid
/ (ˈkɒlɔɪd) /
Also called: colloidal solution, colloidal suspension a mixture having particles of one component, with diameters between 10 –7 and 10 –9 metres, suspended in a continuous phase of another component. The mixture has properties between those of a solution and a fine suspension
the solid suspended phase in such a mixture
obsolete a substance that in solution does not penetrate a semipermeable membrane: Compare crystalloid (def. 2)
physiol a gelatinous substance of the thyroid follicles that holds the hormonal secretions of the thyroid gland
pathol of or relating to the gluelike translucent material found in certain degenerating tissues
of, denoting, or having the character of a colloid
Origin of colloid
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for colloid
[ kŏl′oid′ ]
A mixture in which very small particles of one substance are distributed evenly throughout another substance. The particles are generally larger than those in a solution, and smaller than those in a suspension. Paints, milk, and fog are colloids. Compare solution suspension.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for colloid
[ (kol-oyd) ]
A substance made up of particles that are larger than most molecules; these particles do not actually dissolve in substances but stay suspended in them.
Notes for colloid
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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