Skip to main content
colloid

colloid

1 7.7
A mixture with tiny particles spread through another substance, not dissolved, like milk and gel
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑːlɔɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : coloide
  • Colloid solutions theoretically provide a longer duration of plasma expansion compared with a similar volume of crystalloid solutions.
  • sulfur colloid
  • colloids, such as albumin
  • colloid cysts

And then the crappy yucky, geeky, icky stuff in the pimple is pulled out of your skin and absorbed into the hydrate colloid patch.

Examples

  • The colloid proteins escape into the soft tissue, pulling fluid with them, resulting in edema, which exacerbates the problem.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Although not significant, more crystalloids and colloids were administered in the gelatin-only group.

    Academic text (1996)
  • In the gelatin-only group, patients received only modified fluid gelatin as a colloid plasma-volume expander.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Following the clinical examination, our differential diagnoses were colloid goiter, branchial cyst, and thyroglossal duct cyst.

    Academic text (2006)
  • In science class, we learned that milk is an example of a colloid because it contains tiny fat particles dispersed in water.

  • The colloid formed when small droplets mixed together and became visible in the solution.

  • A few years ago, I had occasion to investigate silver colloids and their roles in health.

Synonyms

mixture
vscolloid
  • Specialized
55 3.5

A substance made of two or more different parts not chemically joined and not in fixed amounts

is a particular type with microscopically dispersed insoluble particles suspended throughout
colloidal solution
vscolloid
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A liquid with very small solid particles spread evenly through it that do not sink

is defined by having properties between a solution and a suspension
dispersion
vscolloid
  • Specialized
1 6.4

A mix where tiny bits spread through a liquid or gas

is more specific and stresses microscopically dispersed insoluble particles and intermediate properties
colloidal suspension
vscolloid
  • Specialized
6.8

A mixture like milk where tiny solid bits stay spread in a liquid without dissolving

focuses on being between a solution and a suspension rather than on stability

How Dispersed

solution
  • Specialized
99 3.0
colloidal solution
  • Specialized
1 5.8
colloid
  • Specialized
1 7.7
colloidal suspension
  • Specialized
6.8
suspension
  • Specialized
6 5.7

Surface Forms

colloid singular
colloids plural

Morphology

colloid = collo + oid

Formed from Greek combining elements (collo- 'glue' + -oid 'like'), but these combining forms are technical and not productive or obvious to an average B1 learner, so the meaning cannot be reliably derived from the parts.

Etymology

Colloid comes from an old Greek word kolla meaning 'glue' and the ending -oid meaning 'like'. So a colloid is 'glue-like', with tiny particles spread through a liquid, like milk or a gel, that stay mixed but are not fully dissolved.