supernatant

The definition of supernatant is floating over or on the surface of something.

(adjective)

An example of supernatant used as an adjective is in the phrase "supernatant liquid" which means a liquid that comes to the top of a mixture and rests on the surface.

The definition of a supernatant is a clear fluid that rises to the top.

(noun)

An example of a supernatant is a fluid on top of a sediment.

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See supernatant in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. floating on the surface or over something
  2. Chem. designating or of a liquid standing above a precipitate

Origin: L supernatans, prp. of supernatare, to swim above < super- (see super-) + natare, to swim (see natant)

See supernatant in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
Floating on the surface.
noun also su·per·nate (so͞oˌpər-nātˈ)
The clear fluid above a sediment or precipitate.

Origin:

Origin: Latin supernatāns, supernatant-

Origin: , present participle of supernatāre, to float

Origin: : super-, super-

Origin: + natāre, to swim; see snā- in Indo-European roots

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