turbidity
|tur-bid-i-ty|
🇺🇸
/tɝˈbɪdəti/
🇬🇧
/tɜːˈbɪdɪti/
cloudiness in a liquid
Etymology
'turbidity' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'turbiditas', where 'turbidus' meant 'disturbed, cloudy' and 'turbare' meant 'to disturb'.
'turbidity' changed from Latin 'turbiditas' and entered Middle French as 'turbidité', eventually becoming the modern English word 'turbidity'.
Initially, it meant 'the state of being disturbed or confused', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'cloudiness or lack of clarity (especially in liquids)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or quality of being cloudy, murky, or opaque, especially in a liquid, caused by suspended particles.
The turbidity of the river increased after the heavy rains.
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Noun 2
a measurable optical property of a liquid that indicates the degree to which suspended particles scatter light (often expressed in NTU or FTU).
Turbidity is commonly measured in NTU (nephelometric turbidity units) to assess water quality.
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Last updated: 2025/08/14 19:19