definitions

hygroscopic

[ hahy-gruh-skop-ik ]
/ ˌhaɪ grəˈskɒp ɪk /
|

adjective

absorbing or attracting moisture from the air.

Nearby words

hygrometric, hygrometry, hygrophilous, hygrophyte, hygroscope, hygroscopic, hygrostat, hygrothermograph, hygroton, hying, hyksos

Origin of hygroscopic

First recorded in 1765–75; hygroscope + -ic

Related forms

hy·gro·scop·i·cal·ly, adverbhy·gro·sco·pic·i·ty [hahy-gruh-skoh-pis-i-tee] /ˌhaɪ grə skoʊˈpɪs ɪ ti/, nounnon·hy·gro·scop·ic, adjectivenon·hy·gro·scop·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hygroscopic

British Dictionary definitions for hygroscopic

hygroscopic

/ (ˌhaɪɡrəˈskɒpɪk) /

adjective

(of a substance) tending to absorb water from the air

Derived Forms

hygroscopically, adverbhygroscopicity (ˌhaɪɡrəskəʊˈpɪsɪtɪ), noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for hygroscopic

hygroscopic

[ hī′grə-skŏp′ĭk ]

adj.

Readily absorbing moisture, as from the atmosphere.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for hygroscopic

hygroscopic

[ hī′grə-skŏp′ĭk ]

Relating to a compound that easily absorbs moisture from the atmosphere.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.