micelle

[ mi-sel ]

/ mɪˈsɛl /

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noun

Physical Chemistry. an electrically charged particle formed by an aggregate of molecules and occurring in certain colloidal electrolyte solutions, as those of soaps and detergents.

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Origin of micelle

1880–85; <New Latin mīcella, equivalent to Latin mīc(a) crumb, grain + -ella-elle

OTHER WORDS FROM micelle

mi·cel·lar, adjectivemi·cel·lar·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use micelle in a sentence

The cessation of the stimulus results from a micellar rearrangement which indicates the character of the adaptation.
A Mechanico-Physiological Theory of Organic Evolution|Carl Von Ngeli

British Dictionary definitions for micelle

micelle

micell micella (mɪˈsɛlə)

/ (mɪˈsɛl) /

noun

chem

a charged aggregate of molecules of colloidal size in a solution
any molecular aggregate of colloidal size, such as a particle found in coal

Derived forms of micelle

micellar, adjective

Word Origin for micelle

C19: from New Latin micella, diminutive of Latin mīca crumb

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