Define the word osmosis"osmosis" gcide "The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48"
osmosis \os*mo"sis\ ([o^]z*m[=o]"s[i^]s), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
'wsmo`s, equiv. to 'w^sis impulse, fr. 'wqei^n to push.]
(Chemical Physics)
(a) The tendency in fluids to mix, or become equably
diffused, when in contact. It was first observed between
fluids of differing densities, and as taking place
through a membrane or an intervening porous structure. An
older term for the phenomenon was Osmose.
Note: The more rapid flow from the thinner to the thicker
fluid was then called endosmosis (formerly
endosmose), and the opposite, slower current,
exosmosis (formerly exosmose). Both are, however,
results of the same force. Osmosis may be regarded as a
form of molecular attraction, allied to that of
adhesion. See also osmotic pressure.
(b) The action produced by this tendency.
[1913 Webster]
"osmosis" wn "WordNet (r) 2.0"
osmosis
n : diffusion of molecules through a semipermeable membrane from
a place of higher concentration to a place of lower
concentration until the concentration on both sides is
equal
"osmosis" moby-thes "Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0"
66 Moby Thesaurus words for "osmosis":
absorbency, absorbent, absorption, adsorbent, adsorption,
assimilation, blotter, blotting, blotting paper, chemisorption,
chemosorption, communication, conduction, contagion, convection,
delivery, deportation, diapedesis, diffusion, digestion,
dissemination, endosmosis, engrossment, exosmosis, export,
exportation, expulsion, extradition, import, importation,
infiltration, interchange, metastasis, metathesis, metempsychosis,
migration, mutual transfer, passage, passing over, percolation,
perfusion, seepage, sorption, sponge, sponging, spread, spreading,
transduction, transfer, transfer of property, transference,
transfusion, transit, transition, translation, translocation,
transmigration, transmigration of souls, transmission, transmittal,
transmittance, transplacement, transplantation, transposal,
transposition, travel
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