surfactant

(sʉr faktənt)

noun

any substance that is surface-active

Origin: surf(ace)-act(ive) a(ge)nt

See surfactant in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A surface-active substance.
  2. A substance composed of lipoprotein that is secreted by the alveolar cells of the lung and serves to maintain the stability of pulmonary tissue by reducing the surface tension of fluids that coat the lung.

Origin:

Origin: surf(ace)-act(ive)

Origin: + a(ge)nt

.

Learn more about surfactant

link/cite print suggestion box