comminute

verb

1. (transitive)To pulverize; to smash.

   “High temperatures required for reaction between components can result in loss of volatile oxides, while milling may not comminute powders sufficiently for complete reaction to occur on calcination.”

   “Collagen may cause shrinkage of comminuted meat products, especially when cooked to high temperatures, or interfere in binding between meat pieces in formed products.”

   “High pressure directly ahead of and beside the projectile nose comminute and fracture the sand media, forming a rigid, conical false nose on the front of the projectile.”

   “Such mills are used for comminuting relatively soft materials, such as fruit and vegetable matter.”

2. To cause fragmentation (of bone).

   “For example, comminuting fractures on ribs 4–8 along the rib angle most likely are associated to shots through the scapula, whereas injuries through or near to the costochondral articulation of the first rib could also be associated to wounds of the sternum or clavicle.”

   “In the past, there have been controversies over the use of bone graft in comminuted fractures of the forearm.”

   “When using reduction forceps, care must be taken to prevent comminuting the medial epicondylar fragment.”

3. (transitive)To break into smaller portions.

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)Pulverized material.

   “The drink contains lemon comminute.”

   “A method of making a restructured meat product in the form of small pieces from a comminute of raw meat, comprising:[…].”

   “Fruit flavour may be added as juice, as a comminute (in the case of citrus fruit) or as an essence.[…]Citrus comminutes are made from the whole fruit, in contrast to juice which is expressed from the pericarp.”

   “The typical concentrated juices and comminutes used by the industry for manufacturing dilutable drinks are shown in Table 6.3.”