supernatant

[ soo-per-neyt-nt ]

adjective

1. floating above or on the surface.

supernatant

/ ˌsuːpəˈneɪtənt /

adjective

1. floating on the surface or over something
2. chem (of a liquid) lying above a sediment or settled precipitate

Derived Forms

• ˌsupernaˈtation, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of supernatant¹

1655–65; < Latin supernatant- (stem of supernatāns ), present participle of supernatāre to swim or float above. See super-, natant

Word History and Origins

Origin of supernatant¹

C17: from Latin supernatāre to float, from super- + natāre to swim

Example Sentences

Allow to stand twenty-four hours, then centrifugalise thoroughly and decant the supernatant fluid into a well-stoppered bottle.

From Project Gutenberg

Again remove the supernatant fluid and fill in a fresh supply of saline solution and centrifugalise once more.

From Project Gutenberg

Examine a drop of the supernatant opalescent emulsion microscopically to determine its freedom from clumps and masses.

From Project Gutenberg

Pipette off all the supernatant fluid and invert the tube to drain on to a pad of sterilised cotton-wool, contained in a beaker.

From Project Gutenberg

The liquid is now allowed to settle, and the clear supernatant solution is poured back again into the battery cells.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bouncy
• resilient