capillarity

[kap-uh-lar-i-tee, -ler-]

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.

capillarity

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• noncapillarity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of capillarity¹

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

Example Sentences

“They don’t have very good capillarity,” Olivier said.

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Surface-energy is also expressed in the powerful attractions for water exhibited in imbibition, swelling, capillarity, absorption, surface tensions, etc.

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Besides his contributions to optics, Young made distinct advances in connection with elasticity, and with surface-tension, or "capillarity."

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

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At this remark I interrupted him: "You say the water in the ocean is being slowly transferred down to this underground lake less by gravity than by capillarity."

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