Osmosis

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  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

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  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