emulsion

emul·sion

noun \i-ˈməl-shən\

Definition of EMULSION

1

a : a system (as fat in milk) consisting of a liquid dispersed with or without an emulsifier in an immiscible liquid usually in droplets of larger than colloidal size

b : the state of such a system

2

: suspension 2b(3); especially : a suspension of a sensitive silver salt or a mixture of silver halides in a viscous medium (as a gelatin solution) forming a coating on photographic plates, film, or paper

Examples of EMULSION

1. <milk is basically an oil-in-water emulsion>

Origin of EMULSION

New Latin emulsion-, emulsio, from Latin emulgēre to milk out, from e- + mulgēre to milk; akin to Old English melcan to milk, Greek amelgein

First Known Use: 1612

Related to EMULSION

Synonyms

admixture, alloy, amalgam, amalgamation, cocktail, combination, composite, compound, conflation, blend, fusion, intermixture, meld, mix, mixture, synthesis

Related Words

half-and-half; absorption, blending, coalescence, coalition, commingling, commixture, compost, concretion, homogenization, immingling, immixture, incorporation, integration, interfusion, intermingling, mergence, merger, merging, mingling; assortment, hash, hodgepodge, hotchpotch, jumble, medley, mélange, mishmash, motley, patchwork, potpourri, variety; accumulation, aggregation, conglomeration

Near Antonyms

component, constituent, element, ingredient

Other Pictures (on film) Terms

daguerreotype, fill, sepia, still, stop

Rhymes with EMULSION

avulsion, compulsion, convulsion, evulsion, expulsion, impulsion, propulsion, repulsion, revulsion

emul·sion

noun \i-ˈməl-shən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of EMULSION

1

a : a system (as fat in milk) consisting of a liquid dispersed with or without an emulsifier in an immiscible liquid usually in droplets of larger than colloidal size b : the state of such a system

2

: suspension 2; especially : a suspension of a sensitive silver salt or a mixture of halides of silver in a viscous medium (as a gelatin solution) forming a coating on photographic plates, film, or paper

—emul·sive \-ˈməl-siv\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

emulsion

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Mixture of two or more liquids in which one is dispersed in the other as microscopic or ultramicroscopic droplets (see colloid). Emulsions are stabilized by agents (emulsifiers) that (e.g., in the case of soap or detergent molecules) form films at the droplets' surface or (e.g., in the case of colloidal carbon, bentonite clay, proteins, or carbohydrate polymers) impart mechanical stability. Less-stable emulsions eventually separate spontaneously into two liquid layers; more-stable ones can be destroyed by inactivating the emulsifier, by freezing, or by heating. Polymerization reactions are often carried out in emulsions. Many familiar and industrial products are oil-in-water (o/w) or water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions: milk (o/w), butter (w/o), latex paints (o/w), floor and glass waxes (o/w), and many cosmetic and personal-care preparations and medications (either type).