flocculate

[ flok-yuh-leyt ]

/ ˈflɒk yəˌleɪt /

verb (used with object), floc·cu·lat·ed, floc·cu·lat·ing.

to form into flocculent masses.

verb (used without object), floc·cu·lat·ed, floc·cu·lat·ing.

to form flocculent masses, as a cloud or a chemical precipitate; form aggregated or compound masses of particles.

Nearby words

floccillation, floccinaucinihilipilification, floccose, flocculant, floccular, flocculate, flocculation, flocculation reaction, floccule, flocculent, flocculent precipitate

Origin of flocculate

First recorded in 1820–30; floccul(us) + -ate¹

Related formsfloc·cu·la·ble

[flok-yuh-luh-buh l] /ˈflɒk yə lə bəl/, adjectivefloc·cu·la·tion, nounfloc·cu·la·tor, noun

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

British Dictionary definitions for flocculation

flocculate

/ (ˈflɒkjʊˌleɪt) /

verb

to form or be formed into an aggregated flocculent mass

Derived Formsflocculation, noun

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 flocculation (1 of 2)

flocculation

1885, from flocculate + -ion.

Word Origin and History for flocculation (1 of 2)

flocculate

1877, from flocculus (1799, from Modern Latin diminutive of Latin floccus "flock of wool") + -ate. Related: Flocculated; flocculating.

Medicine definitions for flocculation

flocculation

[ flŏk′yə-lā′shən ]

n.

The process of becoming flocculent.

Precipitation from solution in the form of fleecy masses.

Related formsfloc′cu•late′ v.

Science definitions for flocculation

flocculation

[ flŏk′yə-lā′shən ]

The process by which individual particles of clay aggregate into clotlike masses or precipitate into small lumps. Flocculation occurs as a result of a chemical reaction between the clay particles and another substance, usually salt water.