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 ( trite ) + -ūra -ure ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Yellow ochre No. 244, 10 parts; sienna earth, 1 part; triturate without melting.

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

Green oxide of chromium, 1 part; oxide of cobalt, 2 parts; triturate, and melt at a high heat.

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

Ointment for Piles.—Tannin, two drachms; water, two fluid drachms; triturate together, and add lard, one and a half drachms.

From Burroughs' Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information, 1889 by Burroughs, Barkham

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