admixture

Everyday

1. (formal) Something added to something else and mixed in, especially a small amount: "water with an admixture of salt". tree →
2. (formal) The act of mixing in. tree →
3. (science) In the study of genes and people's ancestry, the mixing of different family lines (populations) over time. tree →

In the lessons

"Admixture" is a stiff, formal and scientific word. In science texts it describes small amounts of one thing in another (an admixture of sand in clay). In books about history and ancestry it means that people from different groups had children together. In everyday speech you would say "a bit of", "mix" or "mixture". It tells the reader the writing is formal or technical.

Examples

• The paint has an admixture of sand to make it rough. tree →
• The builders added an admixture to the concrete so it set faster. tree →
• His story was truth with an admixture of fantasy. tree →
• Scientists study admixture to learn where people's ancestors came from. tree →
• The water had a small admixture of mud. tree →
• "Admixture" is a formal word for "something mixed in". tree →

Note

Formal. Countable (an admixture of) or uncountable (genetic admixture). Similar to "mixture" but stresses an extra thing added in. Do not confuse with "admission" or "admiration".