capillarity

American  

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

noun

1. Also called capillary attraction.  Also called capillary action;.  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.

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capillarity British  

/ ˌkæpɪˈlærɪtɪ /

noun

1. Also called: capillary action.  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

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Other Word Forms

• noncapillarity noun

Etymology

Origin of capillarity

First recorded in 1820–30; capillary + -ty ²

Example Sentences

Arsène Dumont seems to have been one of the first who observed this significance of the oscillation of the birth-rate, though he expressed it in a somewhat peculiar way, as the social capillarity theory.

From The Task of Social Hygiene by Ellis, Havelock

The reaction is one of great chemical interest, being one of that class of reactions which is greatly affected by capillarity.

From On Laboratory Arts by Threlfall, Richard

This rising of the water is called capillarity.

From Agriculture for Beginners Revised Edition by Burkett, Charles William

Moreover, I must assume as known the chief physical properties of ordinary soils with respect to the phenomena of capillarity, absorption of heat, action of frost, and so forth.

From Disease in Plants by Ward, H. Marshall

Finally, no common liquid except mercury equals water in its power of capillarity.

From Climatic Changes Their Nature and Causes by Huntington, Ellsworth