capillarity

[ kap-uh-lar-i-tee ]
/ ˌkæp əˈlær ɪ ti /

noun

Also called capillary action, capillary attraction. Physics. a manifestation of surface tension by which the portion of the surface of a liquid coming in contact with a solid is elevated or depressed, depending on the adhesive or cohesive properties of the liquid.

Origin of capillarity

First recorded in 1820–30; capillary + -ty2

OTHER WORDS FROM capillarity

non·cap·il·lar·i·ty, noun

Words nearby capillarity

capillaceous, capillarectasia, capillaries, capillariomotor, capillaritis, capillarity, capillaropathy, capillary, capillary action, capillary arteriole, capillary attraction

Example sentences from the Web for capillarity

British Dictionary definitions for capillarity

capillarity
/ (ˌkæpɪˈlærɪtɪ) /

noun

a phenomenon caused by surface tension and resulting in the distortion, elevation, or depression of the surface of a liquid in contact with a solid Also called: capillary action

Medical definitions for capillarity

capillarity
[ kăp′ə-lăr′ĭ-tē ]

n.

The interaction between contacting surfaces of a liquid and a solid that distorts the liquid surface from a planar shape.