colligative

[ kol-i-gey-tiv ]

adjective

, Physical Chemistry.

1. (of the properties of a substance) depending on the number of molecules or atoms rather than on their nature.

colligative

/ kəˈlɪɡətɪv /

adjective

1. (of a physical property of a substance) depending on the concentrations of atoms, ions, and molecules that are present rather than on their nature

Word History and Origins

Origin of colligative¹

First recorded in 1900–05; colligate + -ive

Example Sentences

The first set provides evidence as to the molecular weight of a substance: these are termed “colligative properties.”

From Project Gutenberg