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particulate

[per-tik-yuh-lit, -leyt, puh-tik-, pahr-]
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adjective
  1. of, relating to, or composed of distinct particles.
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noun
  1. a separate and distinct particle.
  2. a material composed of such particles.
  3. 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
Related formsnon·par·tic·u·late, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

grittyhomespuncrudegrainyharshgranularimpureinferiorlooselumpymediocreroughruggedunfinishedunpolishedunprocessedchappedcoarse-grainedparticulaterough-hewn

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British Dictionary definitions for particulate

particulate

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

adj.

1871, from Modern Latin particulatus, from particula (see particle). As a noun from 1960. Related: Particulates.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
particulate in Medicine

particulate

(pər-tĭk′yə-lĭt, -lāt′, pär-)
adj.
  1. Of or occurring in the form of fine particles.
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n.
  1. A particulate substance.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
particulate in Science

particulate

[pər-tĭk′yə-lĭt]
Adjective
  1. Formed of very small, separate particles. Dust and soot are forms of particulate matter.
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Noun
  1. 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.
  2. A substance or suspension composed of such particles, such as sand or smoke.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.