particulate

[per-tik-yuh-lit, -leyt, puh-tik-, pahr-]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR particulate ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of, relating to, or composed of distinct particles.

noun

a separate and distinct particle.

a material composed of such particles.

particulates,

the aggregate of such particles, especially as produced by one source: tests to analyze diesel particulates.
Meteorology.solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere, especially pollutants.

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. 2019

Related Words for particulate

gritty, homespun, crude, grainy, harsh, granular, impure, inferior, loose, lumpy, mediocre, rough, rugged, unfinished, unpolished, unprocessed, chapped, coarse-grained, particulate, rough-hewn

Examples from the Web for particulate

Contemporary Examples of particulate

Burning charcoal generates hydrocarbons, particulate air pollution, wildfires, and carbon footprints.
P.J. O'Rourke: 27 Sensitive, Caring, Green, and Politically Committed Reasons to Ban July 4th
P. J. O’Rourke
July 3, 2014

Historical Examples of particulate

The result is a case of particulate inheritance—the single comb being inherited anteriorly and the oo comb posteriorly.
Inheritance of Characteristics in Domestic Fowl
Charles Benedict Davenport
Neither the particulate nor the chemical theories help us here.
Science and Morals and Other Essays
Bertram Coghill Alan Windle
These results of experiments are commonly understood to prove the particulate character of the agents so studied.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I
Various

British Dictionary definitions for particulate

particulate

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

Word Origin and History for particulate

adj.

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

particulate in Medicine

particulate

[pər-tĭk′yə-lĭt, -lāt′, pär-]

adj.

Of or occurring in the form of fine particles.

n.

A particulate substance.

particulate in Science

particulate

[pər-tĭk′yə-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.