SIDESTREAM Meaning and
Definition
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Sidestream refers to a secondary or auxiliary stream that branches off from a main flow or process. This term is commonly used in various technical, industrial, and environmental contexts. Sidestreams often occur as byproducts, derivatives, or supplementary passages in systems or industries where the primary flow is the main focus of attention.
In the industrial sector, sidestreams are peripheral streams that derive from the primary manufacturing process. They may contain residual or leftover materials, byproducts, or waste generated as a result of the primary production activities. These sidestreams are generally diverted or treated separately from the main process flow for appropriate handling, disposal, or potential reuse.
In the context of environmental science, sidestreams primarily refer to the secondary products or emissions arising from various combustion processes. For instance, in cigarette smoke, the mainstream smoke is inhaled directly, while the sidestream smoke is the smoke that emanates from the lit end of the cigarette. Sidestream smoke consists of numerous toxic compounds and is considered a significant contributor to passive smoking or second-hand smoke exposure.
In broader terms, sidestream can also pertain to any secondary or ancillary information, discussion, or activity that diverges from the main topic or task. It refers to tangential or parallel streams of information or actions that are complementary or supplemental rather than central or fundamental to the core focus.
Common Misspellings for SIDESTREAM
Etymology of SIDESTREAM
The word "sidestream" is formed by the combination of the prefix "side-" and the noun "stream".
The prefix "side-" typically denotes something located, placed, or happening at the side of something else. It is derived from the Old English word "sīde" which means "side" or "flank".
The noun "stream" comes from the Old English word "stream", which means a current of water flowing in a channel. This can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "straumaz", and further back to the Proto-Indo-European root "sreu-", meaning "to flow".
Therefore, the etymology of "sidestream" simply refers to a flow or current happening to the side of something else. In various contexts, it is often used to describe a secondary or subsidiary flow or process in relation to a main flow or process.
