particulate

English

Etymology 1

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).[1] The verb is probably independently from the adjective rather than from Etymology 2.[2]

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /pɑːˈtɪk.jʊ.lɪt/, /pɑːˈtɪk.jʊˌleɪt/, /pəˈtɪk.jʊ.lɪt/, /pəˈtɪk.jʊˌleɪt/
  • (US, Canada) IPA(key): /pɑɹˈtɪk.jə.lət/, /pɑɹˈtɪk.jəˌleɪt/, /pɚˈtɪk.jə.lət/, /pɚˈtɪk.jəˌleɪt/
  • Rhymes: -ɪkjʊlɪt
  • Audio (US):(file)

Adjective

particulate (comparative more particulate, superlative most particulate)

  1. Composed of separate particles. [from 1870][1]
    Coordinate terms: see Thesaurus:granular
    particulate air pollution
    particulate matter
  2. (genetics) 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.
    • 1999, Matt Ridley, Genome, Harper Perennial, published 2004, page 41:
      The rudiments of particulate inheritance were dimly understood already by the breeders of cattle and apples, but nobody was being systematic.
Derived terms
Translations

Noun

particulate (plural particulates)

  1. (chiefly in the plural) Any solid or liquid in a subdivided state, especially one that exhibits special characteristics which are negligible in the bulk material. [from 1949][1]
    Synonym: particulate matter
    Particulates in engine oil can abrade moving parts.
Translations

Verb

particulate (third-person singular simple present particulates, present participle particulating, simple past and past participle particulated)

  1. (transitive) To reduce to particles, make particulate. [from 1918][2]

Etymology 2

From Latin particulāt-, past participial stem (compare the verbal suffix -ate) of particulō (“to particularize”), from particula (“particle”) + -ō (verbal suffix).[2]

Verb

particulate (third-person singular simple present particulates, present participle particulating, simple past and past participle particulated)

  1. (ambitransitive, obsolete) Synonym of particularize. [1579–1656][2]
    • 1579, Geffray Fenton, “To the Queenes Most Excellent Maiestie, Our […] Ladie Elizabeth, […]”, in Guicciardin [i.e., Francesco Guicciardini], translated by Geffray Fenton, The Historie of Guicciardin, Conteining the Warres of Italie and Other Partes, […], London: […] Thomas Vautroullier […], →OCLC, signatures iiij, recto – iiij, verso:
      And I am bolde (contrary to the cuſtome of ſome vvriters) to leaue to particulate in my Epiſtle any part of the argument vvhich vvith ſo great grauitie he hath digeſted ar large in ſo great a volume: […]
    • 1596, William Warner, chapter LXV, in Albions England: A Continued Historie of the Same Kingdome, from the Originals of the First Inhabitants Thereof: […], 4th edition, London: […] [Joan] Orwin, for I[oan] B[roome] […], →OCLC, 11th book, page 279:
      But what particulate we thus, that much in few would write?
    • 1605, M. N. [pseudonym; William Camden], “The Inhabitants of Britaine”, in Remaines of a Greater Worke, Concerning Britaine, […], London: […] G[eorge] E[ld] for Simon Waterson, →OCLC, pages 10–11:
      they at the loweſt ebbe of learning, amazed the world with their excellent knowledge in Philoſophie, and Divinitie: for that I may not particulate of Alexander of Hales, the Irrefragable Doctor, Schoolemaſter to the Angelique Doctor Thomas Aquinas, one Colledge in Oxford brought forth in one age thoſe foure lights of learning: […]
    • 1610, William Camden, “Ches-shire”, in Philémon Holland, transl., Britain, or A Chorographicall Description of the Most Flourishing Kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland, […], London: […] [Eliot’s Court Press for] Georgii Bishop & Ioannis Norton, →OCLC, page 605:
      If I ſhould particulate the ſcuffings and skirmiſhes hereabout betweene the Welſh and Engliſh in the beginning of the Normans time, their inrodes and outrodes, the often ſcarfyres of the Suburbs of Hanbrid beyond the bridge, whereupon he[sic] Welſhmen call it Treboeth, that is, The burnt towne, as alſo the wall made there of Welſh mens ſculls that went a great length, I ſhould ſeeme to forget my ſelfe and thruſt my ſicle into the Hiſtorians harveſt.
    • 1656, Peter Heylyn, “The Country and Site of Orleans like That of Worcester. […]”, in A Survey of the Estate of France, and of Some of the Adjoyning Ilands: […], London: […] E[llen] Cotes for Henry Seile, […], →OCLC, book III (La Beause), page 140:
      Finally, after many acts performed above the nature of her [Joan of Arc’s] ſexe, which I will not ſtand here to particulate, ſhe was taken priſoner at the ſiege of Campeigne: […]
    • [1867, J[ohn] M[itchell] Bonnell, “Unauthorized Words”, in A Manual of the Art of Prose Composition: For the Use of Colleges and Schools, Louisville, Ky.: John P[rice] Morton and Company, →OCLC, part 3rd (The Art of Expression), chapter V (Style—Diction), page 32:
      From the above remarks, it will be seen that the class of unauthorized words is divisible into two kinds: 1st. Words rejected by good writers, though properly formed; […] Particulate— to mention by name.]
Derived terms

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 “particulate, adj. and n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 “particulate, v.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.

Further reading

Anagrams

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