See Also: saturate(medicine)
saturate(1)(dictionary)
saturate(2)(dictionary)
saturate(dictionary)
saturate 1, verb(dictionary)
saturate 2, noun(dictionary)

saturate (iou)



saturate verb. M16.
[Latin saturat- pa. ppl stem of saturare, from satur full, satiated: see -ATE3.]
I. verb trans.
Satisfy, satiate. M16-E19.
Cause (a substance) to combine with, dissolve, or hold the greatest possible quantity of another substance; foll. by with (freq. in pass.). Also (Organic Chemistry), cause to become saturated as regards bonding (SATURATED 2). L17.
Impregnate, soak thoroughly; fill to capacity; imbue with, steep in. (Foll. by in, with.) M18.
E. Peacock The sleeve..was saturated with blood. R. Fry Objects saturated..with the most..repulsive associations.
b. Physics. Magnetize or charge fully. M19.
c. Electronics. Put (a device) into a state in which no further increase in current is achievable. E20.
Military. Overwhelm (enemy defences, a target area, etc.) by aerial attack, esp. by intensive bombing. M20.
Supply (a market) beyond the point at which demand for a product is satisfied. M20.
Vanity Fair Japan's..electronics industry..had begun to saturate the world markets with all its marvelous gadgets.
II. verb intrans.
Reach or show a condition of saturation; reach a state in which no further change or increase is possible. E20.
J. Romer It was left for several days to..saturate properly.
saturator noun a person who or thing which saturates something; spec. a device which saturates air or gas with the vapour of water or of a volatile liquid: L19.