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Glite Dictionary
to flocculate

to flocculate

1 9.9
To form small clumps from tiny particles in a liquid
  • verb
  • /ˈflɒkjʊleɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : flocular
  • The chemicals caused the particles in the solution to flocculate, forming small clumps that settled at the bottom.
  • flocculating agent

Examples

  • As shown in Fig. 13(a), the flocculated structure is very obvious for the natural soil.

    Academic text (2016)

  • For efficiency, you need to adjust the pH, coagulate and flocculate, and verify that there is sufficient mixing energy after each chemical addition point.

    Academic text (1998)

  • The application of this method provides dewatering of the activated sludge without the use of any flocculating agents.

    Academic text (1998)

  • A flocculating agent was added to coagulate the fine suspended soil material in the liquid caustic extractant.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Raw water (482 nephelometric turbidity units NTUs) was flocculated with different concentrations of the extracts.

    Academic text (2008)

  • To improve the clarity of the water, we need to flocculate the suspended particles using a special agent.

  • After adding the coagulant, the mixture began to flocculate, making it easier to remove impurities.

Synonyms

to floc
vsto flocculate
  • Specialized
9.9

To form small clumps in water so particles settle

is the general verb for causing small clumps from particles in liquid
to agglutinate
vsto flocculate
  • Specialized
9.6

To stick together and form clumps, as cells or particles

focuses on clumping small particles in liquid rather than biological sticking
coagulate
vsto flocculate
  • Specialized
7.8

Changed from a liquid into a soft thick lump

refers to forming small clumps rather than full solidification

Antonyms

to disperse
104 4.4

To cause people and things, like a crowd or fog, to spread over a wide area

How Clumped

to flocculate
  • Specialized
1 9.9
to cluster
41 3.5
to gather
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

flocculate infinitive
flocculated past
flocculated past participle
flocculating present participle
flocculates third person singular

Morphology

flocculate = floc (semi-transparent) = floc + ulate

The verb is formed from 'floc' (a small clump) with the verb-forming element '-ulate'; the meaning is directly related but both the base and the suffix are technical and may be unfamiliar to average learners.

Etymology

The word flocculate comes from the Latin root floccus, which meant 'a small ball or tuft of wool' and is like the English word flock, because it suggests things coming together. So, to flocculate is to make tiny particles in a liquid come together into little clumps, like small balls, which makes them easier to remove.