definitions
  • synonyms

colloid

[ kol-oid ]
/ ˈkɒl ɔɪd /
|

noun

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 cm 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.

adjective

Physical Chemistry. colloidal.

Nearby words

collodi, carlo, collodion, collodion baby, collodion process, collogue, colloid, colloid acne, colloid bath, colloid carcinoma, colloid chemistry, colloid degeneration

Origin of colloid

1840–50; < Greek kóll(a) glue + -oid
Related formsnon·col·loid, nounsem·i·col·loid, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for colloid

British Dictionary definitions for colloid

colloid

/ (ˈkɒlɔɪd) /

noun

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 membraneCompare crystalloid (def. 2)
physiol a gelatinous substance of the thyroid follicles that holds the hormonal secretions of the thyroid gland

adjective

pathol of or relating to the gluelike translucent material found in certain degenerating tissues
of, denoting, or having the character of a colloid

Word Origin for colloid

C19: from Greek kolla glue + -oid
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

Word Origin and History for colloid

colloid

n.

1847, from French colloide (1845), from Greek kolla "glue" + -oeides "form" (see -oid).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for colloid

colloid

[ kŏl′oid′ ]

n.

A suspension of finely divided particles in a continuous medium from which the particles do not settle out rapidly and are not readily filtered.
The particulate matter so suspended.
The gelatinous stored secretion of the thyroid gland, consisting mainly of thyroglobulin.
Gelatinous material resulting from colloid degeneration in diseased tissue.colloidin

adj.

Of, relating to, containing, or having the nature of a colloid.
Related formscol•loi′dal (kə-loid′l, kŏ-) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for colloid

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.

Culture definitions for colloid

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.

Note

Fog, paints, and foam rubber are colloids.
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.