suspending agent

noun

: a substance (such as carrageenan, xanthan gum, or cellulose ether) that is added to fluids to promote particle suspension or dispersion and reduce sedimentation

All these drinks can contain preservatives, and drinks other than juices can contain additives to colour, flavour and sweeten. They may also have … a suspending agent to prevent what fruit there is from falling sadly to the bottom of the bottle.

—Derek Cooper, The Beverage Report, 1970

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

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Rhymes for suspending agent

• newsagent
• reagent
• subagent