eutectic

American  

[yoo-tek-tik] / yuˈtɛk tɪk /

adjective

1. of greatest fusibility: said of an alloy or mixture whose melting point is lower than that of any other alloy or mixture of the same ingredients.

2. noting or pertaining to such a mixture or its properties.

   a eutectic melting point.

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noun

1. a eutectic substance.

eutectic British  

/ juːˈtɛktɪk /

adjective

1. (of a mixture of substances, esp an alloy) having the lowest freezing point of all possible mixtures of the substances

2. concerned with or suitable for the formation of eutectic mixtures

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noun

1. a eutectic mixture

2. the temperature on a phase diagram at which a eutectic mixture forms

eutectic Scientific  

/ yo̅o̅-tĕk′tĭk /

1. The proportion of constituents in an alloy or other mixture that yields the lowest possible complete melting point. In all other proportions, the mixture will not have a uniform melting point; some of the mixture will remain solid and some liquid. At the eutectic, the solidus and liquidus temperatures are the same.

2. An alloy or other mixture with constituents in the proportions of the eutectic.

3. The melting point of the eutectic.

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Etymology

Origin of eutectic

1880–85; < Greek eútēkt ( os ) easily melted, dissolved ( eu- eu- + tēktós melted) + -ic

Compare meaning

How does eutectic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• eutectic vs. eutectoid

Example Sentences

Instead, it would use things called deep eutectic solvents to dissolve wood and separate out the lignin.

From Economist • Nov. 28, 2013

We have already seen with salt eutectics that, given the curve of melting-points of a mixture in various proportions, we may predict the existence, composition, and melting-point of the eutectic alloy.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 508, September 26, 1885 by Various

A eutectic mixture results when two components solidify simultaneously at a definite temperature.

From Soap-Making Manual A Practical Handbook on the Raw Materials, Their Manipulation, Analysis and Control in the Modern Soap Plant. by Thomssen, E. G.

It will be seen at once by this definition that the temperature of liquefaction of a eutectic substance is lower than the temperature of liquefaction of either or any of the constituents of the mixture.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 508, September 26, 1885 by Various

This is the only case in which a eutectic mixture is possible, and it is, of course, found at the lowest point of the curve.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 508, September 26, 1885 by Various