Emulsion

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/ɪˈmʌl.ʃən/

Definitions

• A mixture of two or more liquids that are normally immiscible, such as oil and water.
• A suspension of small globules of one liquid in a second liquid with which the first will not mix.
• In photography, a light-sensitive coating on film or paper.

Usage Examples

• Milk is a natural example of an emulsion.
• Mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil, egg yolk, and vinegar.
• The photographic film contained a silver halide emulsion for image capture.

Etymology

Derived from Latin emulgere ("to milk out"), referring to the process of mixing liquids.

Synonyms

• Suspension
• Colloid
• Dispersion

Antonyms

• Solution
• Pure substance

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In American English, "emulsion" is pronounced as /ɪˈmʌl.ʃən/, while in British English, it may sound slightly more like /ɪˈmʌl.sɪən/.

Historical Usage

The concept of emulsion has been used in food, medicine, and photography for centuries, with early applications in paint production and photographic film.

Cultural Nuances

Emulsions are widely studied in food science, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. The culinary technique of emulsifying ingredients is essential in sauces like vinaigrettes and hollandaise.

More Information

Emulsions are essential in many industries, from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics, where stabilizers help maintain their structure. In chemistry, emulsions demonstrate how immiscible liquids can be combined under specific conditions.