COLLOID

colloid

(noun) a mixture with properties between those of a solution and fine suspension

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

colloid (comparative more colloid, superlative most colloid)

Glue-like; gelatinous.

Noun

colloid (plural colloids)

(chemistry) A stable system of two phases, one of which is dispersed in the other in the form of very small droplets or particles.

(meteorology) An intimate mixture of two substances one of which, called the dispersed phase (or colloid), is uniformly distributed in a finely divided state throughout the second substance, called the dispersion medium (or dispersing medium).

(geology) A particle less than 1 micron in diameter, following the Wentworth scale

Source: Wiktionary

Col"loid, a. Etym: [Gr. -oid. Cf. Collodion.]

Definition: Resembling glue or jelly; characterized by a jellylike appearance; gelatinous; as, colloid tumors.

Col"loid, n.

1. (Physiol. Chem.)

Definition: A substance (as albumin, gum, gelatin, etc.) which is of a gelatinous rather than a crystalline nature, and which diffuses itself through animal membranes or vegetable parchment more slowly than crystalloids do; -- opposed to crystalloid.

2. (Med.)

Definition: A gelatinous substance found in colloid degeneration and colloid cancer. Styptic colloid (Med.), a preparation of astringent and antiseptic substances with some colloid material, as collodion, for ready use.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition