coacervate

[ noun koh-as-er-vit, -veyt, koh-uh-sur-vit; verb koh-as-er-veyt, koh-uh-sur-veyt ]

/ noun koʊˈæs ər vɪt, -ˌveɪt, ˌkoʊ əˈsɜr vɪt; verb koʊˈæs ərˌveɪt, ˌkoʊ əˈsɜr veɪt /

noun

Physical Chemistry. a reversible aggregation of liquid particles in an emulsion.

verb (used with or without object), co·ac·er·vat·ed, co·ac·er·vat·ing.

to make or become a coacervate.

Nearby words

co-trimoxazole, co-venture, co-worker, co., coa, coacervate, coacervation, coach, coach bolt, coach box, coach class

Origin of coacervate

1620–30; < Latin coacervātus (past participle of coacervāre to heap up), equivalent to co- co- + acerv(us) heap, multitude + -ātus -ate¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for coacervate

coacervate

/ (kəʊˈæsəvɪt, -ˌveɪt) /

noun

either of two liquid phases that may separate from a hydrophilic sol, each containing a different concentration of a dispersed solid

Derived Forms

coacervation, noun

Word Origin for coacervate

C17: from Latin coacervāre to heap up, from acervus a heap

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for coacervate

coacervate

[ kō-ăs′ər-vāt′ ]

n.

A cluster of molecules.

A cluster of droplets separated out of a lyophilic colloid.

Related forms

co•ac′er•vate′ v. adj.co•ac′er•va′tion n.