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particulate

[ per-tik-yuh-lit, -leyt, puh-tik-, pahr- ]
/ pərˈtɪk yə lɪt, -ˌleɪt, pəˈtɪk-, pɑr- /
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adjective
of, relating to, or composed of distinct particles.
noun
a separate and distinct particle.
a material composed of such particles.
particulates,
  1. the aggregate of such particles, especially as produced by one source: tests to analyze diesel particulates.
  2. Meteorology. solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere, especially pollutants.
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Origin of particulate

1870–75; <New Latin particulātus, equivalent to Latin particul(a) particle + -ātus-ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM particulate

non·par·tic·u·late, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use particulate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for particulate

particulate
/ (pɑːˈtɪkjʊlɪt, -ˌleɪt) /

noun
a substance consisting of separate particles
adjective
of or made up of separate particles
genetics of, relating to, or designating inheritance of characteristics, esp with emphasis on the role of genes
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

Scientific definitions for particulate

particulate
[ pər-tĭkyə-lĭt ]

Adjective
Formed of very small, separate particles. Dust and soot are forms of particulate matter.
Noun
A very small particle, as of dust or soot. Particulates that are given off by the burning of oil, gasoline, and other fuels can remain suspended in the atmosphere for long periods, where they are a major component of air pollution and smog.
A substance or suspension composed of such particles, such as sand or smoke.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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