I. -lə̇t, -ˌlāt adjective
Etymology: Late Latin floccul us + English -ate (adjective suffix)
: bearing small tufts of hairs — often used postpositively
a heavy-bodied bee with the dorsum of the thorax flocculate
II. -ˌlāt verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: New Latin floccul us + English -ate (v. suffix)
transitive verb
: to cause to aggregate or coalesce into small lumps or loose clusters or into a flocculent mass or deposit
calcium ion tends to flocculate clays
essential to avoid flocculating the pulp fibers in early stages of paper manufacture
— compare coagulate
intransitive verb
: to aggregate or coalesce into small lumps or loose clusters or into a flocculent mass or deposit
certain clays flocculate readily
the bacteria of a hay infusion tend to flocculate with their products into a thick zooglea
III. -_lə̇t, -ˌlāt noun
( -s )
: something that has flocculated : a flocculent particle or mass : floc