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colloid
[ kol-oid ]
noun
- Physical Chemistry. a substance made up of a system of particles with linear dimensions in the range of about 10 −7 to 5 × 10 −5 centimeters dispersed in a continuous gaseous, liquid, or solid medium whose properties depend on the large specific surface area. The particles can be large molecules like proteins, or solid, liquid, or gaseous aggregates and they remain dispersed indefinitely. Compare aerosol, emulsion, gel, sol 4, suspension.
- Medicine/Medical. a colloidal substance in the body, as a stored secretion or a cyst.
adjective
- Physical Chemistry. colloidal.
colloid
/ ˈkɒlɔɪd /
noun
- Also calledcolloidal solutioncolloidal suspension a mixture having particles of one component, with diameters between 10 –7and 10 –9metres, suspended in a continuous phase of another component. The mixture has properties between those of a solution and a fine suspension
- the solid suspended phase in such a mixture
- obsolete.a substance that in solution does not penetrate a semipermeable membrane Compare crystalloid
- physiol a gelatinous substance of the thyroid follicles that holds the hormonal secretions of the thyroid gland
adjective
- pathol of or relating to the gluelike translucent material found in certain degenerating tissues
- of, denoting, or having the character of a colloid
colloid
/ kŏl′oid′ /
- A mixture in which very small particles of one substance are distributed evenly throughout another substance. The particles are generally larger than those in a solution, and smaller than those in a suspension. Paints, milk, and fog are colloids.
- Compare solution
colloid
- A substance made up of particles that are larger than most molecules ; these particles do not actually dissolve in substances but stay suspended in them.
Notes
Other Words From
- non·colloid noun
- semi·colloid noun
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of colloid1
Example Sentences
The TV presenter, 57, underwent surgery in November after a colloid cyst was found during a health check-up as part of her menopause advocacy work.
Celebrity Davina McCall's recent revelation that a colloid cyst in her brain was picked up on a routine screening has focused attention on how such scans can detect minor abnormalities.
The 57-year-old posted a video on Instagram earlier this month, to say she had been diagnosed with a type of benign tumour called a colloid cyst.
"But it turned out I had a benign brain tumour called a colloid cyst, which is very rare - three in a million."
The TV presenter posted a video on Instagram to say she had been diagnosed with a rare type of benign tumour called a colloid cyst.
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