diluent
/'diljuənt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A substance used to dilute another substance, making it less concentrated. A diluent is a diluting agent.
Usage
A diluent is used to reduce the concentration or strength of a solution, mixture, or substance. It is a common term in chemistry, pharmacology, and manufacturing.
Examples
- In the laboratory, water is often used as a diluent for chemical solutions.
- The paint was too thick, so we added a diluent to make it easier to apply.
- Pharmaceutical companies must test the safety of any diluent used in injectable drugs.
Advanced Usage
- As a technical term: In gas chromatography, the carrier gas acts as a diluent.
- In commercial products: Many cleaning concentrates require a diluent, such as water, before use.
Variants and Related Words
- Dilute (verb): To make a liquid thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent.
- Dilution (noun): The action of making something weaker in force, content, or value, or the result of this process.
Synonyms
- Thinner
- Solvent (in specific contexts where it performs dilution)
- Diluting agent
Antonyms
- Concentrate
- Essence
Notes
While often a liquid, a diluent can sometimes be a gas (e.g., in industrial processes) or a solid powder used to bulk out a mixture. Its primary function is to decrease concentration without causing a chemical reaction with the primary substance.