granulate
granulate — verb
1. when a substance granulates, or you granulate it, it breaks up or forms into man
when a substance granulates, or you granulate it, it breaks up or forms into many tiny, grain-like pieces — for instance, sugar naturally forming small crystals, or a factory processing metal into fine particles.
Brooke watched the sugar solution granulate as it cooled in the pan.
intransitive: substance + granulate naturally
The factory uses a special machine to granulate powdered metal for 3D printing.
transitive: machine + granulate + object
Honey will naturally granulate over time if stored in a cool place.
Liang learned how to granulate salt in his chemistry class at school.
The chemical company granulates the fertiliser so that farmers can spread it easily.
- crystallize
more specific — implies forming a regular crystal structure, not just any grains
- pelletize
industrial term for forming larger, round pellets rather than small grains
- atomize
different process — breaks liquid into fine droplets, not solid grains
- comminute
formal/technical term for crushing into tiny fragments
文法句型
subject + granulate (intransitive)
subject + granulate + object (transitive)
用法筆記
Both transitive and intransitive uses are common. When describing a natural process (e.g. honey, sugar), the intransitive form is typical. In industrial contexts, the transitive form appears more often.
常見錯誤
2. when damaged skin or flesh granulates, it produces small, rounded bumps of soft
when damaged skin or flesh granulates, it produces small, rounded bumps of soft new tissue as a normal stage of recovery — for example, a burn or surgical wound that is beginning to heal properly.
The nurse checked the wound daily to see if it was starting to granulate properly.
intransitive: wound/tissue + granulate
Jin's burn had begun to granulate, which Dr. Renata said indicated healthy healing.
Deep cuts that do not granulate within a week may need special medical attention.
After the surgery, the tissue inside the incision needed time to granulate and close up.
The doctor said bedsores would granulate only if kept clean and free of infection.
- heal
broader term — covers all stages of recovery, not just the formation of granulation tissue
- form granulation tissue
more explicit technical description, not a single verb
文法句型
subject (tissue/wound/sore) + granulate
用法筆記
Always intransitive. The subject is always a type of damaged tissue or wound. This is a clinical term used by medical professionals; in everyday speech, phrases like 'the wound is healing well' are more common.
常見錯誤
granulate — noun
1. a material that comes in the form of many tiny, grain-like particles — for insta
a material that comes in the form of many tiny, grain-like particles — for instance, a type of unrefined salt or a chemical powder sold in small crystal form rather than as a block or liquid.
The gardener spread a granulate of slow-release fertiliser around the rose bushes.
countable: a granulate of [substance]
Amira bought a granulate of sea salt for her new salt grinder.
Scientists examined the granulate under a microscope to measure the particle sizes.
The detergent comes as a white granulate that dissolves quickly in warm water.
This sugar is sold as a fine granulate rather than in cubes or powder.
用法筆記
Typically used as a mass noun (uncountable), but 'a granulate' is acceptable when referring to a particular type or brand. More common in technical and commercial writing than in everyday conversation.