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sulfate

American  
[suhl-feyt] / ˈsʌl feɪt /

noun

  1. Chemistry. a salt or ester of sulfuric acid.


verb (used with object)

sulfated, sulfating
  1. to combine, treat, or impregnate with sulfuric acid, a sulfate, or sulfates.

  2. to convert into a sulfate.

  3. Electricity. to form a deposit of lead-sulfate compound on (the lead electrodes of a storage battery).

verb (used without object)

sulfated, sulfating
  1. to become sulfated.

sulfate Scientific  
/ sŭlfāt′ /
  1. A salt or ester of sulfuric acid, containing the group SO 4.


Other Word Forms

  • sulfation noun
  • supersulfate noun

Etymology

Origin of sulfate

From the New Latin word sulphātum, dating back to 1780–90. See sulfur, -ate 2

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.

However, other ice core records reveal a large volcanic sulfate spike that lines up precisely with the onset of cooling around 12,870 years ago.

From Science Daily

The area lies within a layer of Mount Sharp rich in salty minerals known as sulfates.

From Science Daily

A new study published in Nature Communications reports the detection of an iron sulfate on Mars that may represent a previously unknown mineral.

From Science Daily

It will reportedly be the first factory in Africa to refine lithium concentrate into lithium sulfate -- a powdered form that is one step closer to the product used in batteries.

From Barron's

First, B. thetaiotaomicron produces enzymes that remove sulfate groups attached to mucin.

From Science Daily