surfactant

Meanings

Plural: surfactants

Noun

a chemical agent capable of reducing the surface tension of a liquid in which it is dissolved
A surface-active agent, or wetting agent, capable of reducing the surface tension of a liquid; typically organic compounds having a hydrophilic “head” and a hydrophobic “tail”.
A lipoprotein in the tissues of the lung that reduces surface tension and permits more efficient gas transport.

Origin / Etymology

Blend of surface-active + agent.

Synonyms

surface-active agent, tenside, wetter, wetting agent

Scrabble Score: 15

surfactant is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
surfactant is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
surfactant is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 18

surfactant is a valid Words With Friends word