Floc
/flɒk/noun
A small loosely aggregated mass of particles suspended in a liquid, especially during a chemical or biological process.
Did you know?In modern water treatment, flocculation deliberately makes invisible suspended particles gather into wool-like clumps so they can be removed.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
floccus
“A lock or tuft of wool; a small scrap or shred.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
floccus
“A tuft, fragment, or small suspended mass.”
17th Century
French
floc
“A tuft or lock; a small clump.”
17th Century
English
floc
“A small tuft or mass, especially of wool-like material.”
19th Century
English
floc
“A loose aggregate formed when particles gather in a liquid.”
Modern English
English
floc
“A cluster of suspended particles produced by flocculation, commonly in water treatment and laboratory processes.”
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