levigate

[ verb lev-i-geyt; adjective lev-i-git, -geyt ]
/ verb ˈlɛv ɪˌgeɪt; adjective ˈlɛv ɪ gɪt, -ˌgeɪt /

verb (used with object), lev·i·gat·ed, lev·i·gat·ing.

to rub, grind, or reduce to a fine powder, as in a mortar, with or without the addition of a liquid.
Chemistry. to make a homogeneous mixture of, as gels.

adjective

Botany. having a smooth, glossy surface; glabrous.

Origin of levigate

1605–15; < Latin lēvigātus, past participle of lēvigāre to smooth, pulverize, equivalent to lēv(is) smooth + -igāre v. suffix see fumigate, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM levigate

lev·i·ga·tion, noun lev·i·ga·tor, noun un·lev·i·gat·ed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for levigation

British Dictionary definitions for levigation

levigate
/ (ˈlɛvɪˌɡeɪt) /

verb chem

(tr) to grind into a fine powder or a smooth paste
to form or cause to form a homogeneous mixture, as in the production of gels
(tr) to suspend (fine particles) by grinding in a liquid, esp as a method of separating fine from coarse particles

adjective

botany having a smooth polished surface; glabrous

Derived forms of levigate

levigation, noun levigator, noun

Word Origin for levigate

C17: from Latin lēvigāre, from lēvis smooth