What does triturate mean?
Triturate is a formal, technical verb meaning to grind or crush a material into a very fine powder, typically by rubbing it repeatedly in a mortar or similar device. Its strongest associations are with pharmacy, chemistry, mineralogy, and the preparation of powders: a pharmacist may triturate dried ingredients so that they mix evenly. The word can also describe the general reduction of a solid to fine particles, making “comminute” and “pulverize” useful near-synonyms in technical writing. Triturate is uncommon in casual speech, where “grind,” “crush,” or “powder” would usually be clearer and more natural. Its specialized vocabulary has nevertheless given English the related noun “trituration,” meaning the act or process of triturating. Learning the word is useful chiefly because it precisely describes a method of reduction and evokes the historical practice of preparing medicines and powders in a mortar.
verbTo grind or crush a substance into a fine powder, especially by rubbing it repeatedly in a mortar or similar device.
- To grind, crush, or reduce a substance to a fine powder, especially by rubbing it repeatedly in a mortar or similar device.
"The pharmacist triturated the dried seeds into a fine powder before adding them to the mixture."
"The pharmacist triturated the dried seeds into a fine powder before adding them to the mixture."
"The laboratory triturated the mineral sample to obtain particles suitable for further analysis."
From a Latin intensive meaning “to rub repeatedly,” triturate describes rubbing something until it becomes powder.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does triturate come from?
Triturate comes from Latin trītūrāre, an intensive form of terere, meaning “to rub” or “grind.” The intensive formation conveys repeated rubbing, which is especially appropriate to reducing a substance in a mortar. The word was recorded in English by the 17th century. Related English words such as attrition, attrite, and detritus continue forms based on the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How triturate is actually used
Formal and technical, especially in pharmacy, chemistry, mineralogy, and historical discussions of preparing powders. In everyday speech, “grind,” “crush,” or “pulverize” is usually more natural.
Easily confused with triturate
Triturate means to grind a solid into a fine powder, whereas titrate means to determine the concentration of a solution by adding measured amounts of a reagent.