Colloidal
/kəˈlɔɪ.dəl/noun
Relating to a substance in which very small particles are dispersed throughout another substance.
Did you know?The modern scientific term was coined in the 19th century from Greek kólla, meaning “glue,” because colloids were first compared to glue-like substances that weren’t true solutions.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰel-
“to stick, hang together, or be thick/viscous”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kólla
“glue; anything sticky or adhesive”
19th Century
English
colloid
“a substance whose particles are dispersed but not fully dissolved”
19th Century
English
colloidal
“pertaining to a colloid or colloids”
Modern English
English
colloidal
“describing a system with microscopic particles suspended in another medium”