flocculent

American  

[flok-yuh-luhnt] / ˈflɒk yə lənt /

adjective

1. like a clump or tuft of wool.

2. covered with a soft, woolly substance.

3. consisting of or containing loose woolly masses.

4. flocky.

5. Chemistry. consisting of flocs and floccules.

---

flocculent British  

/ ˈflɒkjʊlənt /

adjective

1. like wool; fleecy

2. chem aggregated in woolly cloudlike masses

   a flocculent precipitate

3. biology covered with tufts or flakes of a waxy or wool-like substance

---

Other Word Forms

• flocculence noun
• flocculency noun
• flocculently adverb

Etymology

Origin of flocculent

First recorded in 1790–1800; flocc(us) + -ulent

Example Sentences

They invariably come laden with words that seem meant to prove his vocabulary is bigger than yours: flocculent, crapulent, caducous, anaglypta, mephitic, velutinous.

From New York Times • Oct. 1, 2020

“A vast, flocculent cloud darkened and devitalized the city, mimicking the family mood like weather does in memories.”

From New York Times • Apr. 11, 2019

This white flocculent substance is silicic acid combined with the elements of water, and is therefore called by chemists hydrate of silica.

From British Manufacturing Industries Pottery, Glass and Silicates, Furniture and Woodwork. by Arnoux, L.

When the decoction becomes slightly alkaline, it deposites a red flocculent precipitate, and the fluid is changed from a yellow to a crimson colour.

From North American Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 2, No. 3, July, 1826 by Bache, Franklin

The dura mater consists of a tough, fibrous membrane, somewhat flocculent externally, but smooth, glistening, and free on its inner surface.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 4 "Bradford, William" to "Brequigny, Louis" by Various