flocculate

[flok-yuh-leyt] /ˈflɒk yəˌleɪt/
verb (used with object), flocculated, flocculating.
1.
to form into flocculent masses.
verb (used without object), flocculated, flocculating.
2.
to form flocculent masses, as a cloud or a chemical precipitate; form aggregated or compound masses of particles.
Origin
1820-30; floccul(us) + -ate1
Related forms
flocculable
[flok-yuh-luh-buh l] /ˈflɒk yə lə bəl/ (Show IPA), adjective
flocculation, noun
flocculator, noun
Examples from the web for flocculate
  • The researchers engineered this network into yeast so that when the toggle switches on, the yeast is made to flocculate.
  • The flocculate in the concentration tank is pumped to the sludge tanks, then pressed to remove water.
  • The solids flocculate and settle out in the deep final clarifiers.
  • One project used coagulants and polymers to flocculate the manure before running it through a belt press.
  • Several buffers and sample compositions caused the particles to flocculate.
  • The use of nonpolar solvents causes the asphaltenes and high molecular weight additives to precipitate and flocculate.
  • When suspended sediments in the furrow stream flocculate and settle out, they coat furrow bottoms with the precipitated solids.
British Dictionary definitions for flocculate

flocculate

/ˈflɒkjʊˌleɪt/
verb
1.
to form or be formed into an aggregated flocculent mass
Derived Forms
flocculation, noun
Word Origin and History for flocculate
v.

1877, from flocculus (1799, from Modern Latin diminutive of Latin floccus "flock of wool") + -ate. Related: Flocculated; flocculating.