coacervation Hear it!

coacervation definition

co·ac·er·va·tion (kō as′ər vā′s̸hən)

noun

a reversible, emulsoid stage existing between the sol and gel formations, in which the addition of a third substance causes the separation of the sol into two immiscible liquid phases: an essential stage in the formation of proteins, antibodies, etc.

Etymology: ME coacervacioun, a heaping together < L coacervatio < coacervatus, pp. of coacervare, to heap up < co- (see com-) + acervare, to form a heap < acervus, a heap

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.