saturate

Saturate is to become totally soaked or filled, or to combine two substances to their maximum combining capacity.

(verb)

When it rains for days and days and the soil becomes incredibly wet, this is an example of a time when the rain saturates the soil.
When a negligent power plant dumps toxic waste into the water and the water is contaminated with it, this is an example of a situation where the water is saturated with toxic waste.
When a company makes so many mp3 players that every single person has one and there is no more market for them, this is an example of a time when the company saturates the market.

See saturate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

to cause to be thoroughly soaked, imbued, or penetrated
to cause (something) to be filled, charged, supplied, etc. with the maximum that it can absorb
Chem.
1. to cause (a substance) to combine to the full extent of its combining capacity with another; neutralize
2. to dissolve the maximum amount of (a gas, liquid, or solid) in a solution at a given temperature and pressure

Origin: < L saturatus, pp. of saturare, to fill up, saturate < satur, full; akin to satis: see sad

adjective

Related Forms:

See saturate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb sat·u·rat·ed, sat·u·rat·ing, sat·u·rates

To imbue or impregnate thoroughly: “The recollection was saturated with sunshine” (Vladimir Nabokov). See Synonyms at charge.
To soak, fill, or load to capacity.
Chemistry To cause (a substance) to unite with the greatest possible amount of another substance.

adjective (-rĭt)

Saturated.

Origin:

Origin: Latin saturāre, saturāt-, to fill

Origin: , from satur, sated; see sā- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: