levigate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to rub, grind, or reduce to a fine powder, as in a mortar, with or without the addition of a liquid.
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Chemistry. to make a homogeneous mixture of, as gels.
adjective
verb
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(tr) to grind into a fine powder or a smooth paste
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to form or cause to form a homogeneous mixture, as in the production of gels
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(tr) to suspend (fine particles) by grinding in a liquid, esp as a method of separating fine from coarse particles
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of levigate
1605–15; < Latin lēvigātus, past participle of lēvigāre to smooth, pulverize, equivalent to lēv ( is ) smooth + -igāre v. suffix see fumigate, -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Mark first the rationale of the thing: Hear logic rivel and levigate the deed.
From The Book of Humorous Verse by Wells, Carolyn
Let the solution stand for several days; then add 8 ounces of putrid cheese broken up with 3 lbs. of skimmed and curdled sour milk and 3 lbs. of levigated chalk.
From The Art of Perfumery And Methods of Obtaining the Odors of Plants by Piesse, George William Septimus
It is usually levigated with slab and roller, and made into sour cakes.
From First Footsteps in East Africa by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir
This scar, in some months or years, is liable to wear away, and become transparent, without the assistance of any polishing powder, as of very finely levigated glass, as some have recommended.
From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus
The phosphide obtained by heating cupric phosphate, Cu2H2P2O8, in hydrogen, when mixed with potassium and cuprous sulphides or levigated coke, constitutes “Abel’s fuse,” which is used as a primer.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 3 "Convention" to "Copyright" by Various
Make a mixture of cream of tartar, 2 parts; levigated chalk, 2p.
From Practical Mechanics for Boys by Zerbe, James Slough
This process consists in finely pulverizing the soil or rock, and levigating it in vessels of water.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
