1854, "a substance in a gelatinous or gluey state," from French colloide (1845), from Greek kolla "glue," which is of uncertain origin, + -oeidēs "form" (see -oid). Also an adjective, "like glue or jelly."
Entries linking to colloid
-oid
word-forming element meaning "like, like that of, thing like a ______," from Latinized form of Greek -oeidēs (three syllables), from eidos "form," related to idein "to see," eidenai "to know;" literally "to see" (from PIE *weid-es-, from root *weid- "to see"). The -o- is connective or a stem vowel from the previous element. Often implying an incomplete or imperfect resemblance to the thing indicated.
colloidal adj.
"pertaining to or of the nature of a colloid," 1859, from colloid + -al (1).