colloid
[ kol-oid ]
/ ˈkɒl ɔɪd /
Save This Word!
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 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.
adjective
Physical Chemistry. colloidal.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of colloid
First recorded in 1840–50; from Greek kóll(a) “glue” + -oid
OTHER WORDS FROM colloid
non·col·loid, nounsem·i·col·loid, nounWords nearby colloid
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences 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
Medical 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.
Other words from colloid
col•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.
Scientific 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.
Cultural 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.
notes for colloid
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.