gel

views updated May 09 2018

gel1 / jel/ • n. a jellylike substance containing a cosmetic, medicinal, or other preparation: try rubbing some teething gel onto sore gums. ∎  a substance of this consistency used for setting the hair. ∎  Chem. a semisolid colloidal suspension of a solid dispersed in a liquid. ∎  Biochem. a semirigid slab or cylinder of an organic polymer used as a medium for the separation of macromolecules.• v. (gelled, gel·ling) [intr.] Chem. form into a gel: the mixture gelled at 7 degrees Celsius. ∎  [tr.] treat (the hair) with gel.gel2 • v. (gelled , gel·ling ) chiefly Brit. variant spelling of jell.

gel

views updated May 08 2018

gel Translucent to transparent, jelly-like material formed by the coagulation of a colloid; a non-homogeneous gelatinous precipitate; or a liquefied mud. A gel is more solid than a sol and is able to withstand some shear stress. Bentonite slurry is used as a gel in diaphragm walls.

gel

views updated May 21 2018

gel A lyophilic colloid that has coagulated to a rigid or jelly-like solid. In a gel, the disperse medium has formed a loosely held network of linked molecules through the dispersion medium. Examples of gels are silica gel and gelatin.

gel

views updated May 23 2018

gel Homogeneous mass consisting of minute particles dispersed in a liquid to form a fine network throughout the mass. A gel's appearance can be elastic or jellylike, as in gelatin, or quite rigid and solid, as in silica gel.

gel

views updated Jun 11 2018

gel A rigid or jelly-like material, in which molecules form a loosely linked network, formed by the coagulation of a colloid.

gel

views updated May 17 2018

gel (jel) n. a colloidal suspension that has set to form a jelly. Some insoluble drugs are administered in the form of gels.

gel

views updated Jun 08 2018

gel A rigid or jelly-like material, in which molecules form a loosely linked network, formed by the coagulation of a colloid.

gel

views updated May 23 2018

gel (chem.) semi-solid colloidal solution. XIX. abbr. of next.

gel

views updated May 09 2018

gel A sol or colloidal suspension that has set to a jelly.