surface-active

adjective

(of a substance, esp a detergent) capable of lowering the surface tension of a liquid, usually water See also surfactant

Words nearby surface-active

surface plate, surface road, surface structure, surface tension, surface wave, surface-active, surface-active agent, surface-printing, surface-ripened, surface-tension theory of narcosis, surface-to-air

Medical definitions for surface-active

surface-active

adj.

Of, relating to, or being a substance capable of reducing the surface tension of a liquid in which it is dissolved. Used especially of detergents.