emulsion

[ ih-muhl-shuhn ]

noun

1. Physical Chemistry. any colloidal suspension of a liquid in another liquid.
2. such a suspension used in cosmetics.
3. Pharmacology. a liquid preparation consisting of two completely immiscible liquids, one of which, as minute globules coated by a gum or other mucilaginous substance, is dispersed throughout the other: used as a means of making a medicine palatable.
4. Photography. a composition sensitive to some or all of the actinic rays of light, consisting of one or more of the silver halides suspended in gelatin, applied in a thin layer to one surface of a film or the like.

emulsion

/ ɪˈmʌlʃən /

noun

1. photog a light-sensitive coating on a base, such as paper or film, consisting of fine grains of silver bromide suspended in gelatine
2. chem a colloid in which both phases are liquids

   an oil-in-water emulsion

3. Also calledemulsion paint a type of paint in which the pigment is suspended in a vehicle, usually a synthetic resin, that is dispersed in water as an emulsion. It usually gives a mat finish
4. pharmacol a mixture in which an oily medicine is dispersed in another liquid
5. any liquid resembling milk

emulsion

/ ĭ-mŭl′shən /

1. A suspension of tiny droplets of one liquid in a second liquid. By making an emulsion, one can mix two liquids that ordinarily do not mix well, such as oil and water.
2. Compare aerosol

Derived Forms

• eˈmulsive, adjective

Other Words From

• e·mulsive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of emulsion¹

1605–15; < New Latin ēmulsiōn- (stem of ēmulsiō ), equivalent to Latin ēmuls ( us ) milked out ( ē- e- ¹ + mulsus, past participle of mulgēre to milk) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of emulsion¹

C17: from New Latin ēmulsiō, from Latin ēmulsus milked out, from ēmulgēre to milk out, drain out, from mulgēre to milk

Example Sentences

We serve that with an amul cheese emulsion.

From Salon

Plus, it is easier to scratch than water-based emulsion.

From BBC

The paint from i2Cool does not contain heavy metals and uses a water-based emulsion, and while it is not biodegradable, it can be recycled, says Dr Zhu.

From BBC

An injectable emulsion containing two omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil markedly reduced brain damage in newborn rodents after a disruption in the flow of oxygen to the brain near birth, a study by researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons has found.

From Science Daily

The experimental emulsion may have worked better than the commercial emulsion because it was absorbed into the animals' bloodstream two times faster.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• acrylic
• color
• cosmetic
• dye
• enamel
• latex
• makeup
• oil
• pigment
• stain
• varnish
• wax