particulate

comparative more particulate · superlative most particulate

1. Composed of separate particles.First known use 1870

   particulate matter

   1 more example

   particulate air pollution

2. biologyPertaining to heritable characteristics which are attributable discretely to either one or another of an offspring's parents, rather than a blend of the two.

   The rudiments of particulate inheritance were dimly understood already by the breeders of cattle and apples, but nobody was being systematic.

   1999, Matt Ridley, Genome, Harper Perennial, published 2004, page 41

plural particulates

1. in pluralAny solid or liquid in a subdivided state, especially one that exhibits special characteristics which are negligible in the bulk material.First known use 1949

   Particulates in engine oil can abrade moving parts.

   Synonyms: particulate matter

present singular third person particulates · participle present particulating · participle past particulated · past particulated

1. transitiveTo reduce to particles, make particulate.First known use 1918

   The fascia is then particulated, rechecked for sterility, and loaded into syringes that are vacuum-packaged.

   2000 July, Cheryl Guttman, “Injectable preserved particulate fascia is safe filler”, in Dermatology Times, Monmouth Junction, N.J.: MultiMedia Healthcare, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 50

   2 more examples

   Only after the explosion has particulated the poison and given it every opportunity to vaporize can any appreciable concentration of gas be present in the air.

   1918 October, S[amuel] J[ames] M[anson] Auld, “The German Gas Attack […]”, in Arthur W[ilson] Page, editor, The World’s Work: A History of Our Time, volume XXXVI, number 6, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, →OCLC, page 646, column 2

   The study proved that Sialon particulated smaller than 0.5 micron could be sintered without using any auxiliary additives.

   1984 April 17, The Japan Economic Journal, Tokyo: Nihon Keizai Shimbun, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 17

present singular third person particulates · participle present particulating · participle past particulated · past particulated

1. ambitransitiveobsoleteSynonym of particularize.First known use 1579–1656

   But what particulate we thus, that much in few would write?

   1596, William Warner, chapter LXV, in Albions England: A Continued Historie of the Same Kingdome, from the Originals of the First Inhabitants Thereof: […], 4th edition, London: […] [Joan] Orwin, for I[oan] B[roome] […], →OCLC, 11th book, page 279

   5 more examples

   And I am bolde (contrary to the cuſtome of ſome vvriters) to leaue to particulate in my Epiſtle any part of the argument vvhich vvith ſo great grauitie he hath digeſted ar large in ſo great a volume: […]

   1579, Geffray Fenton, “To the Queenes Most Excellent Maiestie, Our […] Ladie Elizabeth, […]”, in Guicciardin [i.e., Francesco Guicciardini], translated by Geffray Fenton, The Historie of Guicciardin, Conteining the Warres of Italie and Other Partes, […], London: […] Thomas Vautroullier […], →OCLC, signatures iiij, recto – iiij, verso

   they at the loweſt ebbe of learning, amazed the world with their excellent knowledge in Philoſophie, and Divinitie: for that I may not particulate of Alexander of Hales, the Irrefragable Doctor, Schoolemaſter to the Angelique Doctor Thomas Aquinas, one Colledge in Oxford brought forth in one age thoſe foure lights of learning: […]

   1605, M. N. [pseudonym; William Camden], “The Inhabitants of Britaine”, in Remaines of a Greater Worke, Concerning Britaine, […], London: […] G[eorge] E[ld] for Simon Waterson, →OCLC, pages 10–11

   If I ſhould particulate the ſcuffings and skirmiſhes hereabout betweene the Welſh and Engliſh in the beginning of the Normans time, their inrodes and outrodes, the often ſcarfyres of the Suburbs of Hanbrid beyond the bridge, whereupon he^([sic]) Welſhmen call it Treboeth, that is, The burnt towne, as alſo the wall made there of Welſh mens ſculls that went a great length, I ſhould ſeeme to forget my ſelfe and thruſt my ſicle into the Hiſtorians harveſt.

   1610, William Camden, “Ches-shire”, in Philémon Holland, transl., Britain, or A Chorographicall Description of the Most Flourishing Kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland, […], London: […] [Eliot’s Court Press for] Georgii Bishop & Ioannis Norton, →OCLC, page 605

   Finally, after many acts performed above the nature of her [Joan of Arc’s] ſexe, which I will not ſtand here to particulate, ſhe was taken priſoner at the ſiege of Campeigne: […]

   1656, Peter Heylyn, “The Country and Site of Orleans like That of Worcester. […]”, in A Survey of the Estate of France, and of Some of the Adjoyning Ilands: […], London: […] E[llen] Cotes for Henry Seile, […], →OCLC, book III (La Beause), page 140

   From the above remarks, it will be seen that the class of unauthorized words is divisible into two kinds: 1st. Words rejected by good writers, though properly formed; […] Particulate— to mention by name.

   [1867, J[ohn] M[itchell] Bonnell, “Unauthorized Words”, in A Manual of the Art of Prose Composition: For the Use of Colleges and Schools, Louisville, Ky.: John P[rice] Morton and Company, →OCLC, part 3rd (The Art of Expression), chapter V (Style—Diction), page 32

   Synonyms: particularize