noun
- Physical Chemistry. any colloidal suspension of a liquid in another liquid.
- such a suspension used in cosmetics.
- Pharmacology. a liquid preparation consisting of two completely immiscible liquids, one of which, as minute globules coated by a gum or other mucilaginous substance, is dispersed throughout the other: used as a means of making a medicine palatable.
- Photography. a composition sensitive to some or all of the actinic rays of light, consisting of one or more of the silver halides suspended in gelatin, applied in a thin layer to one surface of a film or the like.
noun
- photog a light-sensitive coating on a base, such as paper or film, consisting of fine grains of silver bromide suspended in gelatine
- chem a colloid in which both phases are liquidsan oil-in-water emulsion
- Also called: emulsion paint a type of paint in which the pigment is suspended in a vehicle, usually a synthetic resin, that is dispersed in water as an emulsion. It usually gives a mat finish
- pharmacol a mixture in which an oily medicine is dispersed in another liquid
- any liquid resembling milk
1610s, from French émulsion (16c.), from Modern Latin emulsionem (nominative emulsio), from emulsus, past participle of emulgere “to milk out,” from ex- “out” (see ex-) + mulgere “to milk” (see milk (n.)). Milk is a classic instance of an emulsion, drops of one liquid dispersed throughout another.
n.
- A suspension of small globules of one liquid in a second liquid with which the first will not mix.
- A suspension of tiny droplets of one liquid in a second liquid. By making an emulsion, one can mix two liquids that ordinarily do not mix well, such as oil and water. Compare aerosol foam.