Defn: To satisfy the affinity of; to cause to become inert by chemical combination with all that it can hold; as, to saturate phosphorus with chlorine.
SATURATE
Sat"u*rate, p. a. Etym: [L. saturatus, p. p.]
Defn: Filled to repletion; saturated; soaked.
Dries his feathers saturate with dew. Cowper.
The sand beneath our feet is saturate With blood of martyrs.
Longfellow.
SATURATED
Sat"u*ra`ted, a.
1. Filled to repletion; holding by absorption, or in solution, all that is possible; as, saturated garments; a saturated solution of salt.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: Having its affinity satisfied; combined with all it can hold; - - said of certain atoms, radicals, or compounds; thus, methane is a saturated compound. Contrasted with unsaturated.
Note: A saturated compound may exchange certain ingredients for others, but can not take on more without such exchange. Saturated color (Optics), a color not diluted with white; a pure unmixed color, like those of the spectrum.
SATURATION
Sat`u*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. saturatio: cf. F. saturation.]
1. The act of saturating, or the state of being saturating; complete penetration or impregnation.