gel

views updated

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

gel

views updated

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

More From encyclopedia.com