- Physical Chemistry. any colloidal suspension of a liquid in another liquid.
- such a suspension used in cosmetics.
- 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.
- 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.
Origin of emulsion
Related Wordsemollient, pianissimo, demulcent, lenitive, crumbly, ductile, flaccid, friable, lenient, malleable, pliable, assuasive, emulsive, mitigatory, mollescent
Examples from the Web for emulsive
It enters largely into the composition of all the emulsive seeds.
When the milky juice has become once coherent, no means hitherto known can restore it to the emulsive state.
- photog a light-sensitive coating on a base, such as paper or film, consisting of fine grains of silver bromide suspended in gelatine
- chem a colloid in which both phases are liquidsan oil-in-water emulsion
- Also called: emulsion 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
- pharmacol a mixture in which an oily medicine is dispersed in another liquid
- any liquid resembling milk
Word Origin and History for emulsive
1610s, from French émulsion (16c.), from Modern Latin emulsionem (nominative emulsio), from emulsus, past participle of emulgere "to milk out," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + mulgere "to milk" (see milk (n.)). Milk is a classic instance of an emulsion, drops of one liquid dispersed throughout another.
- A suspension of small globules of one liquid in a second liquid with which the first will not mix.
- 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. Compare aerosol foam.