particulate

Plural: particulates

Noun

a small discrete mass of solid or liquid matter that remains individually dispersed in gas or liquid emissions (usually considered to be an atmospheric pollutant)
Any solid or liquid in a subdivided state, especially one that exhibits special characteristics which are negligible in the bulk material.

Adjective

composed of distinct particles

Adj

Composed of separate particles.
Pertaining to heritable characteristics which are attributable discretely to either one or another of an offspring's parents, rather than a blend of the two.

Verb

To reduce to particles, make particulate.
Synonym of particularize.

Examples

particulate air pollution
particulate matter
Particulates in engine oil can abrade moving parts.

Origin / Etymology

From New Latin particulātus (“divided into small parts”) (also particulāta (“small parts”), from its neuter plural), from Classical Latin particula (“particle”), from pars (“part, piece”) + -cula (diminutive suffix), + -ātus (-ate). The verb is probably independently from the adjective rather than from Etymology 2.

Synonyms

particulate matter, particularize

Antonyms

nonparticulate

Scrabble Score: 15

particulate: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
particulate: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
particulate: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 19

particulate: valid Words With Friends Word