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Correct adjectival form of the word "disperse"

English Language & Usage Asked by MasterPJ on December 22, 2020

I am writing an article related to the ionosphere and I would like to ask what form of the word disperse is right in the sentence:

A significant majority of the error can be easily removed using two or
more frequencies due to the disperse nature of the ionosphere.

I looked at few dictionaries and googled the combination "disperse nature". Here is what I found:

▶adjective: Chemistry denoting a phase dispersed in another phase, as in a colloid. – derivatives
dispersal noun,

disperser noun,

dispersible adjective

dispersive adjective.


And for example http://www.yourdictionary.com/disperse-system

disperse system

A disperse system is a two-part system made up of microscopic particles and the medium in which they are suspended. (noun)

Here, if I am not mistaken, the word disperse is used as an adjective.


I am not an English native speaker and I have no sense in this. What is the right form for my sentence?

4 Answers

I believe dispersive is your best bet:

1: of or relating to dispersion a dispersive medium, the dispersive power of a lens
2: tending to disperse

So you'd have

A significant majority of the error can be easily removed using two or more frequencies due to the dispersive nature of the ionosphere.

Correct answer by cornbread ninja 麵包忍者 on December 22, 2020

(-) Is the ionosphere, itself, disperse? If yes, then because past participles can be adjectives, I would write "dispersed". ex: "100% distilled water does not have a dispersed nature."

(-) Is the ionosphere not dispersed, but the ionosphere causes dispersion, then I would use "dispersive": ex: "With regard to light diffraction, 100% distilled water has a dispersive nature."

Answered by redshoes on December 22, 2020

"Disperse" is a suitable adjective; the opposite of "dense".

Answered by JohnH on December 22, 2020

I am surprised nobody suggested 'sparse' as an alternate word.

Thinly dispersed or scattered

Answered by Sam on December 22, 2020

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