emulsion

noun emul·sion \i-ˈməl-shən\

: a mixture of liquids

: a thin coating on photographic film or paper that contains chemicals which are sensitive to light

Full Definition of EMULSION

a : a system (as fat in milk) consisting of a liquid dispersed with or without an emulsifier in an immiscible liquid usually in droplets of larger than colloidal size

b : the state of such a system

: suspension 2b(3); especially : a suspension of a sensitive silver salt or a mixture of silver halides in a viscous medium (as a gelatin solution) forming a coating on photographic plates, film, or paper

See emulsion defined for English-language learners

See emulsion defined for kids

Origin of EMULSION

New Latin emulsion-, emulsio, from Latin emulgēre to milk out, from e- + mulgēre to milk; akin to Old English melcan to milk, Greek amelgein

First Known Use: 1612

Related to EMULSION

Synonyms: admixture, alloy, amalgam, amalgamation, cocktail, combination, composite, compound, conflation, blend, fusion, intermixture, meld, mix, mixture, synthesis

Other Pictures (on film) Terms

daguerreotype, fill, sepia, still, stop

Rhymes with EMULSION

avulsion, compulsion, convulsion, evulsion, expulsion, impulsion, propulsion, repulsion, revulsion

EMULSION Defined for Kids

emulsion

noun emul·sion \i-ˈməl-shən\

Definition of EMULSION for Kids

: two liquids mixed together so that tiny drops of one liquid are scattered throughout the other

Medical Dictionary

emulsion

noun emul·sion \i-ˈməl-shən\

Medical Definition of EMULSION

a : a system (as fat in milk) consisting of a liquid dispersed with or without an emulsifier in an immiscible liquid usually in droplets of larger than colloidal size b : the state of such a system

: suspension 2; especially : a suspension of a sensitive silver salt or a mixture of halides of silver in a viscous medium (as a gelatin solution) forming a coating on photographic plates, film, or paper

—emul·sive \-ˈməl-siv\ adjective