coacervate

1 of 2

noun (1)

co·​ac·​er·​vate kō-ˈa-sər-ˌvāt 

: an aggregate of colloidal droplets held together by electrostatic attractive forces

coacervate

ˌkō-ə-ˈsər-vət 

adjective

coacervation

(ˌ)kō-ˌa-sər-ˈvā-shən 

noun

coacervation

2 of 2

noun (2)

co·​ac·​er·​va·​tion (ˌ)kō-ˌa-sər-ˈvā-shən 

plural -s

: the process of becoming a coacervate : mutual precipitation : aggregation

coacervation of gelatin and gum arabic

Examples of coacervate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In recent years, the discovery of a new type of membrane-free cell, called a coacervate, has led to some ideas. —Monique Brouillette, Popular Mechanics, 19 Apr. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Latin coacervatus, past participle of coacervare to heap up, from co- + acervus heap

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1929, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

coacervate

noun

co·​ac·​er·​vate kō-ˈas-ər-ˌvāt 

: an aggregate of colloidal droplets held together by electrostatic attractive forces

coacervation

(ˌ)kō-ˌas-ər-ˈvā-shən 

noun