Effluents Meaning and Definition
Effluents
Pronunciation
/ɪˈfljuːəntɪz/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
Substances or materials that flow or are carried out of a system, such as waste products, unwanted substances, or impurities.
Etymology
Effluent comes from the Latin “effluo,” meaning “to flow out,” and is often used in the context of environmental science and engineering to describe the flow of pollutants or contaminants into a water body.
Usage Notes
Effluents are often used in a variety of contexts, including environmental science, engineering, and wastewater treatment. It is important to note that not all effluents are pollutants, and some may even be beneficial, such as nutrients in a natural ecosystem.
Cultural References
The term “effluent” has been used in popular culture to describe the flow of unwanted substances or information, such as excessive data or pollutants in a digital system.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- To release effluent into the environment
- To flow through an effluent
- To treat effluent
Related Words or Phrases
- Waste
- Pollutant
- Contaminant
- Emissions
Collocations
- Effluent treatment plant
- Effluent pipe
- Effluent storage tank
Frequency of Use
The term “effluent” is commonly used in technical and scientific contexts, particularly in the fields of environmental science, engineering, and wastewater treatment.
Common Misspellings
- Efffuents
- Effluentts