Wiktionary

flocculate

English edit

 
Flocculation, as seen in the left cup, simplifies removal of pollutants by filtration or sedimentation, leaving clear water, as seen on the right.

Etymology edit

From Latin flocculus, diminutive of floccus (“lock, tuft”).

Verb edit

flocculate (third-person singular simple present flocculates, present participle flocculating, simple past and past participle flocculated)

  1. (transitive, intransitive) To collect together in a loose aggregation like flocks (tufts) of wool.
    • I. P. Roberts
      When applied to clay soils it [lime] binds the small particles together, or flocculates them.
    • Frank Humphreys Storer Agriculture in Some of Its Relations with Chemistry 1897
      For example when the Mississippi water flows into the saline water of the Gulf of Mexico, much of the matter that was held suspended in the river-water is flocculated at once, so that it can subside. Such action as this is one prime cause of the formation of deltas, for the flocculation of fine mud by salt is common to all rivers that reach the sea.

Translations edit

Adjective edit

flocculate (not comparable)

  1. Having flock form or forms.
    Synonym: floccular

Translations edit

Noun edit

flocculate (plural flocculates)

  1. A mass that has suffered flocculation.

Translations edit

Italian edit

Etymology 1 edit

Verb edit

flocculate

  1. inflection of flocculare:
    1. second-person plural present indicative
    2. second-person plural imperative

Etymology 2 edit

Participle edit

flocculate f pl

  1. feminine plural of flocculato
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