Dictionary

dispersant en · NOUN

Etymology

Etymology tree English disperse Latin -ns Latin -āns Old French -antbor. Proto-Indo-European *-onts Proto-Germanic *-ndz Proto-West Germanic *-andī Old English -ende Middle English -ant English -ant English dispersant From disperse + -ant.

Meanings

1. Any substance that is used to prevent settling or clumping of particles suspended in a liquid.
   • Since the effectiveness of dispersants is time-critical, the sooner that concurrence can be obtained and the dispersant applied, the more effective such 1989, Tony E. Hart, “Letters of Agreement for the use of Dispersants”, in L. Michael Flaherty, editor, Oil dispersants: new ecological approaches, page 152:
   • Effects due to the dispersant solvent and surfactants in the water column may be surmised only from laboratory studies 1989, National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Effectiveness of Oil Spill Dispersants, Using oil spill dispersants on the sea, page 122:
   • Scientists warn that the dispersed oil, as well as the dispersants themselves, might cause long-term harm to marine life. 2010 May 13, Paul Quinlan, “Less Toxic Dispersants Lose Out in BP Oil Spill Cleanup”, in New York Times:

Forms

Deriveds

hyperdispersant

Synonyms

dispersing agent · disperser

Translations (5)

ko 분산제 (substance used to stabilize a dispersion) · el διασπορικός (substance used to stabilize a dispersion) · fr dispersant (substance used to stabilize a dispersion) · de Dispergiermittel (substance used to stabilize a dispersion) · fi dispergointiaine (substance used to stabilize a dispersion)