flocculent

American  

[flok-yuh-luhnt] / ˈflɒk yə lənt /

adjective

1. like a clump or tuft of wool.

2. covered with a soft, woolly substance.

3. consisting of or containing loose woolly masses.

4. flocky.

5. Chemistry. consisting of flocs and floccules.

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flocculent British  

/ ˈflɒkjʊlənt /

adjective

1. like wool; fleecy

2. chem aggregated in woolly cloudlike masses

   a flocculent precipitate

3. biology covered with tufts or flakes of a waxy or wool-like substance

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Other Word Forms

• flocculence noun
• flocculency noun
• flocculently adverb

Etymology

Origin of flocculent

First recorded in 1790–1800; flocc(us) + -ulent

Example Sentences

They invariably come laden with words that seem meant to prove his vocabulary is bigger than yours: flocculent, crapulent, caducous, anaglypta, mephitic, velutinous.

From New York Times • Oct. 1, 2020

“A vast, flocculent cloud darkened and devitalized the city, mimicking the family mood like weather does in memories.”

From New York Times • Apr. 11, 2019

In flocculent white deposits, in a spring, Jefferson county, Missouri.

From Scenes and Andventures in the Semi-Alpine Region of the Ozark Mountains of Missouri and Arkansas by Schoolcraft, Henry Rowe

As soon as the precipitate has become flocculent, collect on a tared filter, wash with 90-percent alcohol until free from lead, wash with ether, dry and weigh.

From All About Coffee by Ukers, William H. (William Harrison)

Its characteristic flocculent, non-crystalline nature is plainly evident when examined under the microscope.

From Paint Technology and Tests by Gardner, Henry A.