unsaturable
Adjective (chiefly technical, e.g., chemistry): - Not capable of being saturated: "unsaturable" describes a substance, solution, or system that cannot reach a state of saturation — that is, it cannot hold the maximum amount of a dissolved substance or absorb the maximum quantity of another material under given conditions.
- (The solvent cannot become fully saturated.)
- (The catalyst did not reach a point where it could absorb no more.)
In chemistry: often used to describe a solution that has no limit to the amount of solute it can dissolve, or a material that does not exhibit saturation behaviour.
- The polymer matrix is unsaturable, allowing for continuous absorption of moisture. (The material never reaches a maximum absorption point.)
In figurative or extended use (rare): referring to a process or capacity that cannot be filled or exhausted.
- His thirst for knowledge was unsaturable. (His desire to learn could never be fully satisfied.)
Unsaturated (adj): not saturated; capable of dissolving more solute (often used differently in organic chemistry for carbon-carbon double bonds).
- The solution is unsaturated; more salt can be added. (It has not reached its saturation point.)
Saturable (adj): capable of being saturated.
- This filter is saturable; it will stop working once full. (It can reach a maximum capacity.)
Saturation (n): the state of being saturated.
- The saturation point of sugar in water is about 2:1 by weight. (The maximum amount that can dissolve.)
- Insaturable: a less common synonym meaning the same as unsaturable.
- Non-saturable: a more general term used in physics and engineering.
- Unsaturable (itself): no perfect synonym in everyday English; technical contexts may use "unlimited in capacity" or "non-saturating."
- Saturable: capable of being saturated.
- Saturated: having reached maximum capacity.
- (No common idioms exist for "unsaturable" as it is a technical term.)