colloidal

[ kuh-loid-l ]

adjective

, Physical Chemistry.

1. pertaining to or of the nature of a colloid:

   colloidal gold and silver.

Other Words From

• col·loi·dal·i·ty [kol-oi-, dal, -i-tee], noun
• col·loidal·ly adverb
• noncol·loidal adjective
• semi·col·loidal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of colloidal¹

First recorded in 1860–65; colloid + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Scammers are peddling fake remedies ranging from colloidal silver to cow manure.

From Time

Graham considered "colloidal silicic acid a liquid miscible with water in all proportions."

From Project Gutenberg

Colloidal platinum in water is negative, in a mixture of water and alcohol, positive.

From Project Gutenberg

Colloidal preparations of platinum, silver and many other metals may be prepared in the same way.

From Project Gutenberg

Other varieties of heterogeneous colloidal mixtures are tabulated by Wo.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus, colloidal As2S3, carrying a negative charge, is precipitated by the positive ions of added electrolytes.

From Project Gutenberg