SURFACE-ACTIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does surface-active mean? 

• SURFACE-ACTIVE (adjective)
  The adjective SURFACE-ACTIVE has 1 sense:

1. capable of lowering the surface tension of a liquid; used especially of detergents

  Familiarity information: SURFACE-ACTIVE used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SURFACE-ACTIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Capable of lowering the surface tension of a liquid; used especially of detergents

Similar:

active (exerting influence or producing a change or effect)

 Context examples 

Docusate sodium acts as a surface-active agent (emollient) that promotes the mixing of intestinal liquid and dry stool.

(Glyoktyl, NCI Thesaurus)

A surface-active emollient, stool softener Docusate helps liquids to mix into dry stool, allowing patients to have a bowel movement without straining.

(Casanthranol/Docusate, NCI Thesaurus)