Osmosis
/ɒzˈməʊ̯sɪs/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 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. countable, uncountable
- 2 (biology, chemistry) 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 wordnet
- 3 Passive absorption or impartation of information, habits, etc.; the process of teaching or learning particular knowledge incidentally rather than consciously. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"Near-synonym: serendipity"
Example
More examples"Reverse osmosis consists in forcing seawater through a membrane that filters out the salt."
Etymology
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).