Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Chemistry, of colloids): A substance in which another substance is colloidally dispersed. It is the continuous phase that surrounds and holds the dispersed particles in a colloidal system.

Usage

• The term is used specifically in chemistry and physics to describe the continuous phase of a colloidal mixture.
• It is often contrasted with the "dispersed phase," which refers to the particles that are scattered within the medium.

Examples

• Noun:
  • In milk, water is the dispersing medium for fat globules.
  • The dispersing medium in fog is air, which holds tiny water droplets.
  • For the experiment, we need to identify a suitable dispersing medium for the pigment particles.

Advanced Usage

• "Continuous phase": A more general synonym often used interchangeably with "dispersing medium" in colloid science.
  • The oil acts as the continuous phase, or dispersing medium, in this emulsion.

Variants and Related Words

• Dispersion medium: An exact synonym for "dispersing medium."
• Dispersed phase (n): The substance that is distributed as particles within the dispersing medium.
• Continuous phase (n): The phase that forms the matrix in which another substance is dispersed.

Synonyms

• Continuous phase
• Dispersion medium
• External phase (specifically in emulsions)

Related Phrases

• Colloidal dispersion: A system consisting of a dispersing medium and a dispersed phase.
  • A gel is a type of colloidal dispersion where the dispersing medium is a solid.

Noun

1. (of colloids) a substance in which another is colloidally dispersed