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supernatant
This term is primarily used in chemistry, biology, and clinical laboratory settings to describe the separation of a mixture. It carries a clinical, precise connotation, evoking the image of a clear, undisturbed liquid resting atop a dense, settled layer of solids. It is far more technical than words like floating or hovering, which lack the specific context of sedimentation or centrifugation.
As a noun, the word refers specifically to the liquid phase of a separated mixture. Because it describes a specific substance or volume of liquid in a laboratory context, it is treated as an uncountable mass noun. It does not typically take a plural form unless referring to different types of supernatants from various distinct experiments.
Meanings
Examples
Carefully pipette the supernatant into a clean test tube.
The supernatant layer remained clear after the centrifuge stopped.
Discard the supernatant and keep the pellet for further analysis.
I need to make sure I do not disturb the sediment when removing the supernatant.
The protein was found to be soluble in the supernatant phase.
Is the supernatant completely transparent or is it still cloudy?
Is the supernatant completely transparent or is it still cloudy?
A thin supernatant film formed on the surface of the mixture.
The researcher analyzed the supernatant for traces of the catalyst.
The researcher analyzed the supernatant for traces of the catalyst.