colloid

3 definitions found

colloid - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Colloid \Col"loid\, a. [Gr. ko`lla glue + -oid. Cf.
     Collodion.]
     Resembling glue or jelly; characterized by a jellylike
     appearance; gelatinous; as, colloid tumors.
     [1913 Webster]

  Colloid \Col"loid\, n.
     1. (Physiol. Chem.) A substance (as albumin, gum, gelatin,
        etc.) which is of a gelatinous rather than a crystalline
        nature, and which diffuses itself through animal membranes
        or vegetable parchment more slowly than crystalloids do;
        -- opposed to crystalloid.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Med.) A gelatinous substance found in colloid
        degeneration and colloid cancer.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Styptic colloid (Med.), a preparation of astringent and
        antiseptic substances with some colloid material, as
        collodion, for ready use.
        [1913 Webster]

colloid - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  colloid
      n 1: a mixture with properties between those of a solution and
           fine suspension