osmosis
See also: ósmosis
English edit
Etymology edit
From "endosmose" and "exosmose", both coined by French physician Henri Dutrochet in 1826; from (respectively) Ancient Greek ἔνδον (éndon, “within”) and Ancient Greek ἔξω (éxō, “outer, external”), plus Ancient Greek ὠσμός (ōsmós, “push, impulsion”), from ὠθέω (ōthéō).
Pronunciation edit
- enPR: ŏz-mōˈ -sĭs, ŏs-mōˈ -sĭs
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ɒzˈməʊsɪs/, /ɒsˈməʊsɪs/
Audio (Southern England) (file) - (General American) IPA(key): /ɑzˈmoʊsɪs/, /ɑsˈmoʊsɪs/
- Rhymes: -əʊsɪs, -oʊsɪs
Noun edit
osmosis (countable and uncountable, plural osmoses)
- (chemistry) The net movement of solvent molecules, usually water, from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration through a partially permeable membrane.
- (figurative) Passive absorption or impartation of information, habits, etc.; the act of teaching or picking up knowledge incidentally, without actually seeking that particular knowledge.
- Synonym: serendipity
- I was reading about chickens, and I guess I learned about hawks through osmosis.
- 1999, Neil Gaiman, Stardust (Perennial paperback), published 2001, pages 36–37:
- At age fourteen, by a process of osmosis, of dirty jokes, whispered secrets and filthy ballads, Tristram learned of sex.
Derived terms edit
Related terms edit
Translations edit
movement of molecules
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