lyophilic

US, c. 1908; compare earlier lyophilize (1894). lyo- (“solvent, dispersion”) +‎ -philic (“having affinity for”), from Ancient Greek λύω (lúō, “to loosen, to dissolve”) + φίλος (phílos, “beloved”) + Latin -icus.

lyophilic (comparative more lyophilic, superlative most lyophilic)

1. (chemistry, of a colloid) Having an affinity for the dispersion medium and thus not easily precipitated.
   • 1908, Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry,, volume 27, page 935:

     In second sub-group, the “emulsion-colloids” or “lyophilic colloids,” the properties of the solvent are considerably influenced. The internal friction, surface tension, and other properties of the liquid show great changes even when only a small proportion of matter is in colloidal solution.

• lyophile

• lyophobic

• hydrophilic

• lyophilize