particulate
|par-tic-u-late|
🇺🇸
/pɑrˈtɪkjələt/
🇬🇧
/pɑːˈtɪkjʊlət/
made of small particles
Etymology
'particulate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'particula', where 'part-' (from Latin 'pars') meant 'part' and the diminutive suffix '-cula' meant 'small'.
'particulate' developed via the Latin noun 'particula' ('small part'), which entered Old/Middle French and Middle English as 'particle'. The adjectival form 'particulate' was formed in English (notably in scientific contexts) from 'particle' + the adjectival suffix '-ate' in the 18th–19th centuries.
Initially it referred to 'a small part' or 'small piece'; over time it evolved into the modern senses of 'made of small particles' (adjective) and 'a tiny particle, especially in air or emissions' (noun).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a very small separate particle of matter, especially a microscopic solid or liquid droplet suspended in air (often used in environmental/air-quality contexts as 'particulate' or 'particulate matter').
Regulations aim to reduce the amount of particulate released by factories into the atmosphere.
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Adjective 1
consisting of or relating to tiny separate particles; composed of discrete particles.
The engine produces particulate emissions that contribute to air pollution.
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Last updated: 2025/10/09 23:58