unsaturated

unsaturated
1. Not saturated; denoting a solution in which the solvent is capable of dissolving more of the solute. 2. Denoting a chemical compound in which all the affinities are not satisfied, so that still other atoms or radicals may be added to it. 3. In organic chemistry, denoting compounds containing double and/or triple bonds or a ring structure.

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un·sat·u·rat·ed -'sach-ə-.rāt-əd adj not saturated: as
a) capable of absorbing or dissolving more of something <an \unsaturated solution>
b) able to form products by chemical addition esp containing double or triple bonds between carbon atoms <\unsaturated fats>

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un·sat·u·rat·ed (ən-sachґə-rāt″əd) not saturated; applied to a chemical compound in which two or more atoms are united by double or triple bonds, which contain multiple pairs of shared electrons. Such compounds may still add atoms or groups to the unsaturated bonding atoms up to a limit of bonding power, or saturation. Most commonly refers to carbon-carbon bonds, as in unsaturated fatty acids. Also applied to a solution in which more solute may still be dissolved under stated conditions.

Unsaturated (A) and saturated (B) two-carbon hydrocarbons.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Unsaturated — Un*sat u*ra ted, a. 1. Capable of absorbing or dissolving to a greater degree; as, an unsaturated solution. [1913 Webster] 2. (Chem.) Capable of taking up, or of uniting with, certain other elements or compounds, without the elimination of any… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • unsaturated — (adj.) 1756, from UN (Cf. un ) (1) not + pp. of SATURATE (Cf. saturate) (v.) …   Etymology dictionary

  • unsaturated — ► ADJECTIVE Chemistry ▪ (of organic molecules) having carbon carbon double or triple bonds and therefore not containing the greatest possible number of hydrogen atoms. DERIVATIVES unsaturation noun …   English terms dictionary

  • unsaturated — [unsach′ə rāt΄id] adj. 1. not saturated 2. Chem. a) designating or of a compound in which some element possesses the capacity of combining further with other elements b) designating or of a solution that is not in equilibrium with the undissolved …   English World dictionary

  • unsaturated — adjective Date: 1758 not saturated: as a. capable of absorbing or dissolving more of something < an unsaturated solution > b. able to form products by chemical addition; especially containing double or triple bonds between carbon atoms …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • unsaturated — adjective a) Not saturated; capable of dissolving more of a solute at the same temperature. b) Of a compound containing atoms sharing more than one valence bond, especially of an …   Wiktionary

  • unsaturated — adj. Unsaturated is used with these nouns: ↑fat …   Collocations dictionary

  • unsaturated — un|sa|tu|rat|ed [ʌnˈsætʃəreıtıd] adj unsaturated fats or oils usually come from plants rather than animals and are better for your health …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • unsaturated — un|sat|u|rat|ed [ ʌn sætʃə,reıtəd ] adjective unsaturated fat in food is better for your body than SATURATED fat because it does not create as much CHOLESTEROL …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • unsaturated — UK [ʌnˈsætʃəˌreɪtɪd] / US [ʌnˈsætʃəˌreɪtəd] adjective unsaturated fat in food is better for your body than saturated fat because it does not create as much cholesterol …   English dictionary

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