Granular: meaning, definitions and examples
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granular
[ ˈɡræn.jʊ.lər ]
texture description
Granular refers to a texture or structure consisting of small, distinct particles or grains. It is often used to describe materials that have a coarse texture, such as sand or sugar. In a more abstract sense, granular can also refer to data or information that is detailed and broken down into smaller, more manageable pieces. This term is particularly relevant in fields like computer science, where it indicates the level of detail analyzed in a dataset.
Synonyms
coarse, crystalline, fragmented, grainy
Examples of usage
- The granular sugar dissolved quickly in the hot water.
- The soil was granular, providing good drainage for the plants.
- The report provided a granular analysis of the market trends.
Etymology
The word 'granular' originates from the Latin word 'granulum', which is a diminutive form of 'granum', meaning 'grain'. This term evolved into the Middle French 'granulaire', which carried over into English by the early 19th century. Initially used in scientific and technical contexts, 'granular' describes physical materials that are grain-like. Over time, it has expanded into metaphorical usage across various fields, including data analysis, where it refers to the level of detail in datasets being analyzed. The evolution of its usage reflects the growing importance of precise and detailed information in both scientific and everyday language.