triturate

American  

[trich-uh-reyt, trich-er-it] / ˈtrɪtʃ əˌreɪt, ˈtrɪtʃ ər ɪt /

verb (used with object)

triturated, triturating

1. to reduce to fine particles or powder by rubbing, grinding, bruising, or the like; pulverize.

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noun

1. a triturated substance.

2. Pharmacology. trituration.

triturate British  

/ ˈtrɪtjʊˌreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to grind or rub into a fine powder or pulp; masticate

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noun

1. the powder or pulp resulting from this grinding

Other Word Forms

• self-triturating
  adjective
• triturable
  adjective
• triturator
  noun
• untriturated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of triturate

1615–25; < Late Latin trītūrātus (past participle of trītūrāre to thresh), equivalent to Latin trītūr ( a ) a threshing ( trīt ( us ) rubbed, crushed ( see trite) + -ūra -ure ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Green oxide of chromium 1 part, flux No. 3, 3 parts, triturate and melt.

From Young's Demonstrative Translation of Scientific Secrets by Young, Daniel

Here it rushes and pushes, the atoms triturate and grind, and, eagerly thrusting by, pursue their separate ends.

From The Story of My Heart An Autobiography by Jefferies, Richard

Empty the sample of soil into the mortar and triturate thoroughly.

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by Eyre, J. W. H. (John William Henry)

Just as the fish swallow stones to aid the digestion, we need the accidents and frictions of life to triturate our moral pabulum, and render it more easily assimilable to our constitutions.

From Paul Gosslett's Confessions in Love, Law, and The Civil Service by Lever, Charles James

When a paradoxer parades capital letters and diagrams which are as good as Newton's to all who know nothing about it, some persons wonder why science does not rise and triturate the whole thing.

From A Budget of Paradoxes, Volume II by Smith, David Eugene