particulate

English

Etymology

From New Latin particulatus, from particula, diminutive of pars.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /pɑːˈtɪkjʊlət/, /pɑːˈtɪkjʊleɪt/, /pəˈtɪkjʊlət/, /pəˈtɪkjʊleɪt/
• (US, Canada) IPA^(key): /pɑɹˈtɪkjʊlət/
• Rhymes: -ɪkjʊlɪt

Adjective

particulate (comparative more particulate, superlative most particulate)

1. Composed of separate particles. [from late 19th c.]

   particulate air pollution

   particulate matter

2. (genetics) Pertaining to heritable characteristics which are attributable discretely to either one or another of an offspring's parents, rather than a blend of the two.
   • 1999, Matt Ridley, Genome, Harper Perennial 2004, p. 41:

     The rudiments of particulate inheritance were dimly understood already by the breeders of cattle and apples, but nobody was being systematic.

Derived terms

• microparticulate
• nanoparticulate
• nanoparticulated
• nanoparticulation

• nonparticulate
• particulate inheritance
• particulate matter
• subparticulate
• thermoparticulate

Noun

particulate (plural particulates)

1. (chiefly in the plural) Any solid or liquid in a subdivided state, especially one that exhibits special characteristics which are negligible in the bulk material. [from 1960]

   Synonym: particulate matter

   Particulates in engine oil can abrade moving parts.

Translations

solid or liquid in a subdived state — see particulate matter

Further reading

• particulates on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Anagrams

• catapultier