supersaturate

[soo-per-sach-uh-reyt] /ˌsu pərˈsætʃ əˌreɪt/
verb (used with object), supersaturated, supersaturating.
1.
to increase the concentration of (a solution) beyond saturation; saturate abnormally.
Origin
1750-60; super- + saturate
Related forms
supersaturation, noun
Examples from the web for supersaturated
  • In such cases, the liver over-produces cholesterol, which is delivered into the bile and causes it to become supersaturated.
  • So what started out as a saturated solution of borax at room temperature, becomes a supersaturated solution at low temperature.
  • Previous work in highly supersaturated simulants indicated reaction times would be on the order of days to weeks.
British Dictionary definitions for supersaturated

supersaturated

/ˌsuːpəˈsætʃəˌreɪtɪd/
adjective
1.
(of a solution) containing more solute than a saturated solution and therefore not in equilibrium
2.
(of a vapour) containing more material than a saturated vapour and therefore not in equilibrium
Derived Forms
supersaturation, noun
Word Origin and History for supersaturated
adj.

1794, past participle adjective from supersaturate (1788), from super- + saturate (v.).

supersaturated in Medicine

supersaturate su·per·sat·u·rate (sōō'pər-sāch'ə-rāt')
v. su·per·sat·u·rat·ed, su·per·sat·u·rat·ing, su·per·sat·u·rates
To cause a chemical solution to be more highly concentrated than is normally possible under certain conditions of temperature and pressure.

su'per·sat'u·ra'tion n.