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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• noncapillarity noun

Etymology

Origin of capillarity

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

Example Sentences

The blood will now enter the pipette at first by capillarity; afterward gravity will also come into play and the pipette can be two-thirds filled without difficulty.

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by Eyre, J. W. H. (John William Henry)

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

From Disease in Plants by Ward, H. Marshall

When the scale is graduated with true inches, the neutral point, the capacity and capillarity corrections should be marked on the frame.

From A Treatise on Meteorological Instruments Explanatory of Their Scientific Principles, Method of Construction, and Practical Utility by Negretti, Henry

The most important of these is the capillarity of the cell surfaces.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various

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

From Climatic Changes Their Nature and Causes by Huntington, Ellsworth