n.
- Chemistry.
- A system in which finely divided particles, which are approximately 10 to 10,000 angstroms in size, are dispersed within a continuous medium in a manner that prevents them from being filtered easily or settled rapidly.
- The particulate matter so dispersed.
- Physiology. The gelatinous product of the thyroid gland, consisting mainly of thyroglobulin, which serves as the precursor and storage form of thyroid hormone.
- Pathology. Gelatinous material resulting from colloid degeneration in diseased tissue.
Of, relating to, containing, or having the nature of a colloid.
colloidal col·loi'dal (kə-loid'l, kŏ-) adj.
colloidally col·loi'dal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
