A system in which particles of colloidal size of any nature (e.g. solid, liquid or gas) are dispersed in a continuous phase of a different composition (or state). The name dispersed phase for the particles should be used only if they have essentially the properties of a bulk phase of the same composition.
Source:
PAC, 1972, 31, 577. 'Manual of Symbols and Terminology for Physicochemical Quantities and Units, Appendix II: Definitions, Terminology and Symbols in Colloid and Surface Chemistry' on page 605 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac197231040577)