What does triturate mean?
Triturate is a verb that means to reduce a substance to a fine powder or small pieces by crushing or grinding. This process is often used in scientific and technical contexts, such as in chemistry and materials science. The word is derived from the Latin verb triturare, which means to pound or crush. In English, triturate is often used in formal and technical writing, and is less commonly used in everyday conversation. Despite its somewhat formal tone, triturate is a useful word for describing the process of reducing a substance to a fine powder or small pieces.
verbTo reduce (something) to a fine powder or small pieces by crushing or grinding.
- To reduce (something) to a fine powder or small pieces by crushing or grinding.
"The mortar and pestle were used to triturate the herbs into a fine powder."
"The mortar and pestle were used to triturate the herbs into a fine powder."
"The machine was designed to triturate the rocks into small pieces."
The plural form of triturate is used to describe multiple instances of the process of reducing a substance to a fine powder or small pieces.
"The machine was designed to triturate multiple rocks into small pieces."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of triturate
The word triturate is derived from the Latin verb triturare, which means to pound or crush. This verb is thought to have been derived from the Latin words tritus, meaning 'pounded' or 'crushed', and the suffix -are, which is a common verb-forming suffix in Latin. The word triturate has been used in English since the 15th century, and has been used in scientific and technical contexts since the 17th century.
How triturate is actually used
Triturate is often used in scientific and technical contexts to describe the process of reducing a substance to a fine powder or small pieces.