saturate

Saturate is a verb that means to cause something to become thoroughly soaked or completely filled to capacity. The term derives from Latin saturatus, from satis "enough." In common usage, to saturate something is to reach its limit of absorption, dissolution, or capacity, such that additional input cannot be accommodated without a change in state.

In chemistry, a solution is saturated when no more solute can dissolve at a given temperature. The point is known as the saturation point; a saturated solution contains dissolved solute in dynamic equilibrium with undissolved solid. Solubility depends on temperature, pressure (for gases), and the nature of solvent and solute. If more solute is added, it may precipitate.

In electronics, saturation describes a state where a device is fully turned on and cannot increase current further under the given conditions. For a transistor, saturation means both junctions are forward biased; in a transistor or amplifier, this results in clipping. In magnetism, magnetic saturation occurs when a material cannot increase magnetization despite increasing magnetic field.

In color science and digital imaging, saturation refers to the intensity of a color; higher saturation yields a more vivid color, lower saturation produces a washed-out appearance. In soils and hydrology, soil saturation describes the condition where pore spaces are filled with water, influencing drainage and hydraulic conductivity.